India’s wicketkeeping conundrum deepened on Thursday as Ishan Kishan, who was being considered as a backup for the injured Rishabh Pant, has reportedly been ruled out due to an ankle injury of his own. The 26-year-old Jharkhand stumper suffered the injury after an unfortunate accident involving a scooter, leading to ten stitches on his left foot, as reported by The Times of India.
A source close to the development revealed, “Ishan has suffered an ankle injury and has ten stitches on his left foot after he fell from a scooter. Though selectors reached out to him on Thursday, his condition ruled him out of contention. The stitches have now been removed, but he still has a plaster on his ankle.”
ALSO READ: Rishabh Pant Suffers Toe Fracture, Ruled Out Of Manchester Test and England Series
This injury eliminates Kishan from replacing Rishabh Pant, who himself sustained a painful blow to his right toe during Day 1 of the Manchester Test against England. Pant was batting on 37 when a Chris Woakes delivery struck him flush on the foot as he attempted a reverse sweep.
Ishan Kishan won’t be able to join Team India for the 5th match against England due to stitches and an injury he got in an accident on his left foot. He is not fit enough to join the team😭😭@ishankishan51 #IshanKishan pic.twitter.com/AH0KxJwOgT
— Ishan’s (Closed) (@Ishanworld32) July 24, 2025
Though replays saved him from an LBW dismissal, the damage was done physically — blood seeped through his boot, and he had to be taken off on a golf cart marked as an ambulance. The BCCI confirmed the extent of Pant’s injury via a social media update, stating that the keeper-batter will not don the gloves for the remainder of the match.
ALSO READ: Michael Vaughan Praises Liam Dawson’s Impactful Test Return and All-Round Value
However, they added that Pant, despite the fractured toe, has rejoined the team on Day 2 and remains available to bat if needed. With Rishabh Pant unavailable for keeping duties and Kishan ruled out, Dhruv Jurel has taken over as the designated wicketkeeper in this critical phase of the Test match.
