According to the latest reports, Ishan Kishan, who was considered a top contender to replace Rishabh Pant as a wicketkeeper-batter in the fifth test of the current Anderson Tendulkar Trophy 2025, was deemed unfit.
Even after sustaining a toe fracture in the ongoing fourth test at Old Trafford in Manchester, Pant put up a valiant performance on Day 02, scoring 54 runs from 75 balls (including 3 fours and 2 sixes). This helped India compile 358 runs on the board after the first innings.
Due to Ishan’s fitness concerns, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is now searching for a potential replacement to fill Pant’s void in the remainder of the five-match test series.
Rishabh Pant Completely Ruled Out of the 5th Test
On the opening day of the Manchester test, Rishabh Pant sustained an injury on his right toe. He suffered from bleeding and swelling, raising fears about the seriousness of the wound. The physios rushed onto the field immediately and carried him off the golf cart ambulance.
As the severity of the injury has yet to be determined, the medical experts reveal that he should rest for six weeks to recover from a fractured toe.
This incident occurred after Pant attempted a reverse sweep shot against Chris Woakes’ yorker delivery following a tea break on Day 01. Although the Ultraedge rescued him from an LBW dismissal, the ball struck his right boot, leaving him in severe pain.
On Day 2, the BCCI provided a huge update that Pant would join the team to fulfill the team’s requirements only as a batter. However, Dhruv Jurel will be appointed as a substitute to perform the wicketkeeping duties.
Why Ishan Kishan is Unfit to Replace Rishabh Pant in the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy 2025?
It is reported that Ishan Kishan dealt with an ankle injury after falling from a scooty and underwent ten stitches on his left toe. This ruled out the 27-year-old’s possibilities as a like-for-like replacement for Pant.
Also, the selectors contacted the Jharkhand cricketer only on Thursday (July 24). Currently, his left ankle is covered with plaster after the stitches have been removed.
As there is only a four-day gap between the fourth and fifth test, it is unlikely for Ishan to replace Pant.
A Huge Setback for Ishan Kishan
Unfortunately, it is a missed opportunity for Ishan Kishan to make a comeback in international cricket after his last appearance in 2023. So far, he has played only 2 tests in his career and could have strengthened his spot in the longest format if he had remained fit enough to replace Pant.
In the previous year, Ishan faced several drawbacks in his career. After showing a lack of interest in domestic cricket, he was excluded from the BCCI’s Central Contract list.
Eventually, the southpaw succeeded in reviving his contract earlier this year in April after representing Jharkhand in the domestic season 2024-25.
Although he was not in his best form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, he accumulated 354 runs in 14 matches playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad, including his only maiden century of the tournament.
However, Kishan exhibited a stunning performance in the County Cricket Division One, scoring an 87 and 77-run knock for Northamptonshire.
But his dream to create an impact for India in the longest format remains unfulfilled after facing an accident in recent times.
Not Ishan Kishan! BCCI Plans THIS Potential Replacement for Pant
As Rishabh Pant is expected to undergo a lengthy rehabilitation for six to eight weeks, the BCCI has come up with an alternative to appoint Tamil Nadu cricketer Narayan Jagadeesan as a replacement for the injured vice-captain.
Ishan was initially in discussions as a backup player, but his unavailability prompted the Indian cricket board to go with the next best candidate. Also, with Dhruv Jurel already being a part of the squad, the selectors had to search for another substitute.
Jagadeesan came into the spotlight following his outstanding performance in red-ball cricket. Out of 52 First Class Matches, the 29-year-old amassed 3,373 runs in 79 innings, averaging at 47.50, which includes 10 centuries and 14 fifties to his name.
Moreover, the wicketkeeper-batter ranked as the 11th highest run scorer in the last Ranji Trophy season 2024-25, having scored 674 runs in 8 matches (includes 2 tons and 5 half-centuries) at an average of 56.14. He was indeed the top run scorer for his team throughout the tournament.
Conclusive Facts
After Rishabh Pant sustained an index finger injury in the Lord’s Test, Ishan Kishan’s name emerged with selectors hoping for him as a possible replacement. Additionally, his exposure with India A and recent stint in the County Championship promoted him as a frontrunner. But his ankle injury now puts BCCI in a state of dilemma.
With the series currently tilted in England’s favor by 2-1, Team India now has a grueling task to secure a victory in the current fourth test at Manchester after facing a huge blow in the form of Pant’s injury.
Overall, the uncapped player Jagadeesan seems to be the only option who could save Team India from a tricky position to fit as a back-up specialist wicketkeeper-batter in the main squad. So, it is expected that the BCCI will make this announcement official soon in the upcoming days.