Pant Sidelined from Fifth Test Due to Foot Fracture; Jagadeesan Steps In as Replacement

India have suffered a serious setback before the make-or-break fifth Test against England, with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant being ruled out for a fracture in his right foot which he suffered during the just-concluded fourth Test against England in Manchester.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) certified the injury on Saturday and made Tamil Nadu's Narayan Jagadeesan Pant's replacement for the last match, which starts on July 31 at the Kennington Oval in London.

Pant's non-availability is a major blow to the visitors, who are 1-2 down in the five-match series. The left-hander has been an integral performer with the bat as well as the gloves during the tour, and has ensured stability in the middle order as well as reliability behind the stumps. The BCCI Medical Team will continue to monitor his recovery, with the board hoping for his speedy return to action.

Given Pant's absence, Jagadeesan has been included in the team. The 28-year-old has been consistent in domestic cricket and has also impressed heavily in the IPL. He is likely to back Dhruv Jurel, who will most likely be taking up wicketkeeping responsibility in the all-crucial final Test.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir appreciated Pant's bravery, sharing that the left-handed batsman batted even after suffering the fracture.

"Rishabh Pant is out of the series.". Any praise is insufficient for him, to bat with a damaged foot. Not many have done it previously. That is why generations will discuss it, and generations to come should discuss it too. It's disappointing due to the type of form that he was in. I hope he recovers and returns soon. He is a very crucial member of the Test team," Gambhir opined in the post-match media conference.

India's updated squad for fifth Test:
Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj, Arshdeep Singh, and Narayan Jagadeesan (wicketkeeper).

With the series hanging in the balance, the last Test guarantees a thrilling duel, as India seek to level the series following a thrilling draw in the fourth Test at Old Trafford.