Rishabh Pant Ruled Out with Fractured Toe; Ishan Kishan Likely to Join Squad for Final Test. Rishabh Pant has reportedly sustained a fractured toe after being struck on the foot during the first day of the ongoing fourth Test against England in Manchester.
According to a report by The Indian Express, Ishan Kishan is expected to be called up to Team India’s squad for the fifth and final Test at The Oval, replacing the injured vice-captain Pant, who has now been ruled out of the remainder of the series.
India began the Manchester Test on a strong note, with openers KL Rahul (46) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (58) putting together a solid 94-run partnership. After Rahul’s dismissal, Jaiswal and debutant Sudharsan added 26 more runs before Liam Dawson sent Jaiswal back. Pant entered the crease after Shubman Gill fell to Ben Stokes for 12.
Pant looked in excellent touch, racing to 37 runs with two fours and a six. However, in the 68th over, while attempting a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes, he was struck directly on the boot — the blow that ultimately led to his injury.
Rishabh Pant was clearly in severe pain, prompting immediate attention from the Indian medical and physiotherapy team. Upon examining his right toe, significant swelling was detected. Pant grimaced with every touch and was eventually taken off the field in a medical cart for further evaluation.
He was quickly transported to a hospital for scans, which confirmed a fracture in his right toe.
“The scan revealed a fracture, ruling him out for six weeks,” a BCCI source told The Indian Express. “The medical team is exploring whether he can bat again with the help of painkillers, but he still requires support to walk. His chances of returning to bat look very slim.”
This marks Pant’s second injury of the series, following the finger injury he sustained during the Lord’s Test.
Ishan Kishan Set to Join Indian Squad for Final Test at The Oval
Ishan Kishan has reportedly been called up to join the Indian squad for the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval, starting July 31. Currently representing Northamptonshire in the County Championship, Ishan Kishan will join the national team as the backup wicketkeeper.
According to a report in The Indian Express, “The selection committee will add Ishan Kishan to the squad ahead of the fifth Test, as Pant won’t be part of the final Test match, which will be played from July 31 to August 4 at The Oval.” Dhruv Jurel is expected to take over wicketkeeping duties in the upcoming Manchester Test and also feature in the series finale.
Ishan Kishan last played for India in a T20I against Australia in November 2023 and has featured in two Tests against the West Indies.
The past year has been a turbulent one for Kishan. In 2024, he was dropped from the BCCI’s Central Contract list for not fulfilling the requirement of playing domestic cricket. However, after returning to represent Jharkhand in the 2024–25 domestic season, he was reinstated to the contract list in April 2025.
