Team India’s troubles deepened during the third Test against England at Lord’s when star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant sustained an injury on Day 1. While attempting to stop a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah that strayed down the leg side, Pant hurt his left index finger. He was immediately taken off the field, with Dhruv Jurel stepping in as the substitute wicketkeeper.
The five-match series is currently poised at a crucial juncture, and Pant’s injury raises serious selection headaches for the Indian team management. If Pant is unable to recover in time, a replacement must be brought in not just for his wicketkeeping duties but also for his valuable middle-order batting.
Here are three viable replacement options the selectors might consider for the remainder of the England series:
1. Sarfaraz Khan – A Proven Attacking Option
Sarfaraz Khan was part of the Indian Test squad earlier in 2024 during the England tour of India. Despite being dropped after four underwhelming innings against New Zealand, Sarfaraz remains a strong contender for a comeback. The 27-year-old made a statement before the current England tour began, smashing 92 against the England Lions.
With an aggressive batting style that resembles Pant’s, Sarfaraz could be a natural fit in the Indian lineup. However, he is not a wicketkeeper, which means KL Rahul would need to don the gloves if Sarfaraz is selected.
2. Ishan Kishan – A Like-for-Like Replacement Already in England
Ishan Kishan presents perhaps the most seamless replacement option. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter is already in England, having been part of the India A setup prior to the main series. While he didn’t bat during the A games, he has made a strong impression playing for Nottinghamshire in county cricket.
Kishan has scored two fifties in as many innings and has also taken four catches and executed a stumping behind the stumps. His presence in England removes any logistical challenges, and his attacking style mirrors Pant’s, making him an ideal like-for-like option.
3. Tilak Varma – The Versatile Batting All-Rounder
Another name under strong consideration is Tilak Varma, who is also stationed in England. Though primarily a batter, Tilak brings flexibility to the team thanks to his part-time off-spin. This makes him a strategic choice if India wants to drop Washington Sundar and play both KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel, while Tilak fills in as a batting all-rounder.
Tilak has been in fine form, scoring a century for Hampshire on debut and following it up with scores of 56 and 47. In First-Class cricket, he has racked up 1494 runs at an impressive average of 48.18 and also claimed 8 wickets at 20.12.
Final Thoughts
With Rishabh Pant’s fitness under a cloud, India must make a crucial decision ahead of the fourth Test. Each of the three potential replacements—Sarfaraz Khan, Ishan Kishan, and Tilak Varma—brings a unique skill set. The final call will likely depend on the balance the team management wants to maintain and how they weigh the importance of wicketkeeping versus batting depth.
