Pant’s Injury Forces Him Out of Series Finale

Indian cricket team wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the fifth Test against England due to an injury. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Sunday that Pant will not participate in the final match of the Test series at The Oval. The injury occurred during the fourth Test when Pant suffered a fractured toe after being struck by a ball from England pacer Chris Woakes. Despite the injury, Pant continued to bat but did not keep wickets, with Dhruv Jurel stepping in as his substitute. N Jagadeesan has been named as Pant’s replacement in the squad.

Details of the Incident and Pant’s Performance

The BCCI confirmed in a press release that Pant sustained a fracture to his right foot during the fourth Test in Manchester. The 27-year-old retired hurt on 37 on the first day of the match after attempting a reverse sweep off Woakes, which resulted in the injury. However, demonstrating remarkable resilience, Pant returned to bat after Shardul Thakur’s dismissal, with India at 314/6, and went on to score an impressive fifty.

BCCI and Team Reactions

The BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring Pant’s recovery, wishing him a speedy return to fitness. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia expressed these sentiments in the official release. Head coach Gautam Gambhir also praised Pant’s determination and performance despite his injury. Gambhir highlighted Pant’s importance to the team and expressed hope for his swift recovery, acknowledging his significant contribution to the series.

India’s Updated Squad for The Oval Test

With Pant sidelined, India’s squad for the fifth Test includes Shubman Gill as captain, alongside players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Sai Sudharsan. The team also features experienced players such as Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah. N Jagadeesan joins as a wicket-keeper option alongside Dhruv Jurel.