Who will replace injured Rishabh Pant? Wicketkeeper-batter ruled out of India-England Test series, say reports

In yet another blow for Team India, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series between India and England because of a foot injury, reports said.

 

The 27-year-old was hit on the right foot while attempting a reverse sweep off a full delivery from England pacer Chris Woakes in the 68^th over on the opening day of the fourth Test in Manchester. The hosts reviewed for an LBW decision but a slight inside edge off the bat saved Pant.

 

However, the blow left his right foot bleeding and swollen. Though he was given on-field medical aid, he had to retire hurt and was taken off the field in a golf buggy.

 

He was taken for scans soon after, and though the BCCI is yet to confirm it officially, PTI quoted a Board source as saying that Pant has been ruled out for six weeks at least.

 

It means that Pant is unlikely to play the final Test at The Oval, which begins on July 31. He is almost certain to miss the rest of the ongoing Test in Manchester, though it remains to be seen if he comes out to bat later on in India’s first innings or in the second innings, should the need arise.

 

In his absence, Dhruv Jurel is, once again, expected to keep wickets. He had filled in for Pant in the third Test at Lord’s when the latter couldn’t discharge his wicketkeeping duties because of an injury to his index finger. However, Jurel conceded 26 byes in England's second innings.

 

It remains to be seen if the selectors and team management will be influenced by it when they finalise a replacement for Pant in the last Test at The Oval.

 

The other option Team India have is Ishan Kishan, who is expected to be called in as cover. The 26-year-old recently played two County matches for Nottinghamshire, and was also part of the India A squad that played against the England Lions ahead of the India-England Test series. He, however, did not feature in the playing XI in either of the two matches.

 

KL Rahul is another option, as he has donned the keeping gloves in white-ball cricket, but he has not kept wickets in Tests since the 2023-24 tour of South Africa.

 

Meanwhile, India finished day one of the Manchester Test on 264/4, with Ravindra Jadeja (19 off 37) and Shardul Thakur (19 off 36) at the crease, before bad light stopped play.

 

Comeback man Sai Sudharsan made a useful 61, while openers KL Rahul (46 off 98 balls) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (58 off 107) put on 94 runs for the first wicket.

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