Ishan Kishan Turns Down Ajit Agarkar’s Offer to Replace Injured Rishabh Pant
With India facing a crisis behind the stumps following Rishabh Pant fracturing his toe on Day 1 at Old Trafford, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar reached out to wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan as potential cover. However, Kishan has reportedly declined due to concerns over his own ankle injury, leaving selectors in a tight spot.
Pant’s Injury & Its Impact
Pant suffered a fractured toe when struck by a full delivery from Chris Woakes during Day 1, forcing him to retire hurt on 37. Though he returned as a batsman on Day 2, he has been ruled out of wicketkeeping duties and will not feature in the final Test at The Oval.
Kishan’s Decision & Reasoning
Kishan, who has Test experience and has been performing well in county cricket, was approached as a replacement. However, citing his own ankle issue and a need for rest, he informed the selectors—through Agarkar—that he was unfit to travel. “[The] selectors reached out but it has been conveyed to them that Ishan can’t make it,” explained a BCCI source.
Selected Alternatives & Squad Options
| Option | Status & Details |
|---|---|
| Dhruv Jurel | Current stand-in in Manchester; likely to keep in final Test |
| KS Bharat | In England with club cricket; seen as potential backup |
| N Jagadeesan | Domestic red-ball performer; strong candidate if needed |
| KL Rahul | Part-time keeper option; selectors cautious about disrupting his batting role |
Selectors are expected to finalise the squad this week. With both Pant and Kishan unavailable for keeping, the combination of Jurel and Bharat or Jagadeesan appears most viable.
Team Implications Ahead of Fifth Test
- India enters the final Test without a fully fit specialist keeper, risking burning out Jurel.
- The coaching staff must ensure backup support, including possible use of part-time keepers among batters.
- The lack of frontline wicketkeeping depth raises tactical concerns in handling spin and fast bowling.
- Selectors’ choices in this scenario will be heavily scrutinized given the series tied at 2–2.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pant’s Injury | Fractured toe; out of keeping duties, batting only |
| Ishan Kishan | Declined call-up due to ankle injury |
| Main Options | Dhruv Jurel (keeping), KS Bharat, N Jagadeesan, KL Rahul |
| Series Situation | India trailing 2–1; final Test crucial |
Disclaimer: This article is based on information compiled from online sources. Please verify independently before making any decisions based on it.
Thank you for visiting Cricket In Focus! Explore more in our Test, India, and Latest Cricket Updates sections.
Discover more from Cricket In Focus
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
