Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

Mumbai, Jul 28: In a major blow to Team India, star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the fifth and final Test against England due to a fracture in his right foot, sustained during the recently concluded fourth Test in Manchester. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the news on Saturday.

With India trailing the five-match series 1-2, Pant’s absence comes at a crucial juncture. Known for his explosive middle-order batting and sharp work behind the stumps, Pant had been instrumental in India’s performances throughout the series.

To fill the void, the BCCI has named Narayan Jagadeesan as his replacement. The Tamil Nadu cricketer, who has made a mark in domestic cricket and the IPL, is likely to join the squad as a backup, with Dhruv Jurel expected to don the gloves for the all-important Test starting July 31 at the Kennington Oval, London.

The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring Pant’s recovery closely and expressed optimism for his swift return to competitive cricket.

In a heartfelt post-match press conference, head coach Gautam Gambhir lauded Pant’s grit and resilience.

“Rishabh batted with a broken foot. That kind of commitment is rare. It’s something future generations should remember. He was in great form, and it’s unfortunate to lose him now. I hope he recovers soon because he’s a key player for us in Tests.”

India’s revised squad for the fifth Test includes:

Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj, Arshdeep Singh, and N Jagadeesan (wk).

Having salvaged a hard-fought draw in Manchester, India will now look to level the series in London. With high stakes and a reshuffled lineup, all eyes are on the Oval as the final chapter of the England tour unfolds.