India’s star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will miss the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval due to a fractured foot, the BCCI announced on Sunday.
Pant sustained the injury during India’s first innings of the fourth Test in Manchester, where he was forced to retire hurt. However, he bravely returned to bat on day two, drawing loud applause from the Old Trafford crowd. Despite his efforts, he did not take the field as wicketkeeper and was not required to bat again as India battled to a gritty draw.
In an official statement, the BCCI said, “The BCCI Medical Team will continue to monitor his progress and the team wishes him a speedy recovery.”
As a replacement, the Men’s Selection Committee has named Narayan Jagadeesan for the fifth Test.
Pant’s absence will be felt deeply, having scored 479 runs in the series—including a fifty in Manchester and twin centuries in the opening Test. His performance also set a new record, surpassing England’s Alec Stewart to become the highest-scoring wicketkeeper in a single Test series in England.
