Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is preparing for the Asia Cup 2025, as the pace-bowling all-rounder is set to prove his readiness for the upcoming tournament by undergoing the regular fitness test.

According to media reports, the 31-year-old Hardik Pandya is at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to undergo the regular fitness test. The fitness test will reportedly run between August 11 and 12. He is ready for the Asia Cup 2025. After the IPL 2025, Hardik had a short break before returning to training. The Times of India report suggests that Hardik has been working on his fitness in Mumbai since mid-July, as he is very serious about his fitness. 

See Also: When was the last time Rohit Sharma played Vijay Hazare Trophy before 2025-26 VHT?

Hardik Pandya is a key all-rounder for India

Hardik is a crucial name in the Indian white-ball teams, as the all-rounder had an important role for the Men in Blues to win the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Apart from 11 Tests, he has played 94 ODIs and 114 T20Is, where the right-handed middle-order batter has scored 1904 and 1812 runs, respectively, and the right-arm medium fast has also taken 91 and 94 wickets, respectively. He is India's third leading T20I wicket-taker. 

India are favourites for Asia Cup 2025

Asia Cup 2025 will run in the T20I format, which the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will host between September 9 and 28. It will be the first time that more than six teams will participate in an Asia Cup tournament, as eight teams will participate in the competition, including all five Test-playing nations. In Group A, India will face Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, while Group B teams are Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. 

The record eight-time Asia Cup champions (including one T20 Asia Cup title), India, are once again the favourites for the tournament, while it will also be a crucial event for them before the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which India and Sri Lanka will host between February and March 2026. 

The recently concluded England tour was one of the memorable and successful tours for the Indian opener KL Rahul, where he played a dependable top-order role for his team. While the fifth Test at The Oval ended in a tense situation, Rahul showed his incredible calmness by revealing his incredible football skills on the field on the final day of the series decider. 

The fifth day of The Oval Test is unforgettable, which started with the targets of 35 runs for the hosts England and four wickets for the visitors India to claim a victory. To save the Test series, it was a must-win game for India. Indian pacers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna both brought their desperate skills and clinched India's narrowest Test win (by runs) after winning by six runs. 

[WATCH] Relive Stuart Broad's special bowling figures of 8/15 during Ashes 2015

Watch KL Rahul's impressive football skills

During that completely tense final day of the series, where every ball was vital, and people couldn't leave their seats, Indian cricketer KL Rahul showed his football skills. After Gus Atkinson guided a delivery back of the wicket, Rahul charged on the ball while the batter had no intention to run. In that comfortable situation, Rahul picked the ball with his right foot and juggled it multiple times impressively before throwing the ball.   

Fans enjoyed it very well, while some were also shocked to see a great hidden skill from the dependable top-order Indian batter. Although Rahul has been seen to play football multiple times previously, these skills were too impressive.

KL Rahul with his football skills. 😄 pic.twitter.com/05r8VcYqXh

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 6, 2025

KL Rahul was a star in Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025

While the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 ended in a 2-2 series line, Indian cricketer KL Rahul finished as the third leading run-scorer. The right-handed opening batter scored 532 runs in 10 innings with an average of 53.20, including two centuries and two half-centuries. For multiple times in the series, he set a confident base in the Indian innings. He also finished the series with the most catches for India (joint second most catches in the series) with six catches. 

After the end of the thrilling England vs India five-match Test series, Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, which ended in a 2-2 draw under the new Test leadership of Shubman Gill, the focus of Indian cricket is slowly shifting towards the Asia Cup 2025, which will run in September. While the tournament is a month away from beginning, there is some big news on the Indian captaincy for the competition. 

Asia Cup 2025: India will face Pakistan in group stage

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will host the Asia Cup 2025, which will be the 17th Asia Cup and the third T20 Asia Cup tournament. This is the first time that eight teams will participate in the Asia Cup, which will run between September 9 and 28, 2025. Apart from the ICC Full Members or Test-playing nations, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, the other three qualified teams for the upcoming T20 Asia Cup will be UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong. 

India and Pakistan will face each other in Group A of the Asia Cup 2025 along with Oman and the UAE. While India can face Pakistan three times in the tournament, if both teams reach the Final, they can also face Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan at least in the Super 4.

So, there is no doubt about the competition in the forthcoming T20 Asia Cup, where the non-Test playing members also have something to prove on the field. The Men in Blues are expected to go with a strong T20I squad for the upcoming Asia Cup tournament, and the captaincy role is a significant topic for them.

See Also: Afghanistan Announces T20 Preliminary Squad for Asia Cup and Tri-Nation Series

Suryakumar Yadav is recovering after surgery, started batting

Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav had a sports hernia surgery in Munich, Germany, last June. Since then, there hasn't been much news about his fitness. Some recent reports claimed that he would be doubtful for the T20 Asia Cup, and the BCCI was looking for an alternative skipper for the forthcoming Asia Cup tournament. 

However, according to a recent ESPNcricinfo report, the Indian T20I captain already experienced his first batting session after surgery in late July at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The 34-year-old is currently under the observation of the BCCI medical team. While the Indian cricket team is expected to travel to the UAE in early September for the Asia Cup 2025, Suryakumar Yadav is expected to be fit to lead the national team in the tournament. 

Washington Sundar set another great example in the ongoing England tour as his fiery half-century put the visitors in a powerful position in their must-win game at The Oval Test, where India have set a giant fourth innings target of 374 runs for the hosts England. 

It is the last Test of the five-match Test series (Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025), where the hosts England are leading by 2-1. After a poor start in the first innings in the ongoing The Oval Test, India brilliantly made a comeback in the second half of the second innings of the Test match, and then the batters put the visitors in a dominant position on the challenging batting pitch. 

With the help of a century from the opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (118), a surprising maiden international half-century from the nightwatcher Akash Deep (66), and valuable scores from Ravindra Jadeja (53) and Dhruv Jurel (34), India already managed the 300+ lead. But Washington Sundar's quick-fire 50 put the visitors in almost a dream situation as they managed to set a 374-run target for the hosts. 

See Also: 'Dhoni number 1 banega...'- Netizens react after 'Most Talked About Indians in July' list published

Washington Sundar set great example in latest England tour

While many Indian batters have impressed in this tour, Washington Sundar has shone as much as a lower-order batter, except for the heroic Manchester Test draw, where he came to bat at no.5 in the third innings and scored his maiden Test century. In fact, after the latest innings during India's second innings in The Oval Test, Sundar became the fifth-highest run-scorer for India from no.8 or lower-order batting in an away bilateral Test series (183 in seven innings, excluding Manchester Test century).  

Washington Sundar scored 39-ball 50

In the third innings of The Oval Test, Sundar slammed a 39-ball half-century with the help of four fours and four sixes. He scored 53 off 46 balls before losing his wicket, as the visitors scored 396 runs. With the last batter Prasidh Krishna, who faced only two balls and couldn't open his account, Sundar had a 39-run partnership for the last wicket in just 19 balls.

Thank you Gautam Gambhir for backing Washington Sundar when others didn’t. 🙏⁰India has found a gem of an all-rounder. 🇮🇳💎⁰~ What's your take on this 🤔 #INDvsENG #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/mM3rjnc10i

— Kavya Maran (@Kavya_Maran_SRH) August 2, 2025

Gabba 2021
MCG 2024
Manchester 2025
Oval 2025

Washington Sundar has played only 13 Tests but the impact he has made is unreal 🤯. pic.twitter.com/asTwmeBqRi

— 𝐉𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐞 (@jod_insane) August 2, 2025

A 39 BALL FIFTY BY WASHINGTON SUNDAR. 🤯

- 4,4,6 to bring his fifty up. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/8Ve5S5sAPV

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 2, 2025

No words are enough to praise Washington Sundar.⁰One of the most underrated all-rounders.⁰No flashy PR, just pure class—always steps up in tough moments. 🙌
⁰~ What's your take on this 🤔 #INDvsENG #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/2opi5uTH5W

— Kavya Maran (@Kavya_Maran_SRH) August 2, 2025

How other see How Gambhir
Washington Management
Sundar. See him. pic.twitter.com/YNKPgwwhqe

— कट्टर INDIA समर्थक 🦁🇮🇳 ™ (@KKRWeRule) August 2, 2025

Washington Sundar 🔥 pic.twitter.com/sAr2uMpJpV

— Homie (@homelander_yyy) August 2, 2025

Give him bat, he will score.
Give him ball, he will pick wickets.
Ask him to field, he will save runs

Washington Sundar might go down as one of the most complete cricketer world has ever seen pic.twitter.com/U9ATCH5UhB

— Parmar' (@saisuszn) August 2, 2025

Washington Sundar when the 9 wickets down :

#INDvsENG2025 pic.twitter.com/bFjZJqoOvE

— Sarcasm (@sarcastic_us) August 2, 2025

Washington Sundar's family watching Sundar Batsman on TV pic.twitter.com/GC1JxBspbJ

— Honest Cricket Fan's (@maddiess18) August 2, 2025

Gill will get hype bcz he is captain
Csk fans and neutrals will hype jadeja
Jaiswal already has fans to hype him

Washington Sundar rarely gets the recognition he deserves. He deserves equal appreciation 🫡 pic.twitter.com/cM15W04Ycm

— ` (@chixxsays) August 2, 2025

Dear Gautam Gambhir, don't waste Washington Sundar generational batting talent, let's push him to bat in the top 5. pic.twitter.com/OIKu0riRNe

— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) August 2, 2025

Important contributions from India's lower middle order with Jaddu and Jurel chipping in but the real PAIN for England? The WASHINGTON TAX. Massive. Unbelievable. They weren’t ready!!! 😜 #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/jziAtlEZ1Z

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) August 2, 2025

Petition for Washington Sundar to bat higher up the order! #ENGvIND

— Eems (@NaeemahBenjamin) August 2, 2025

Washington Sundar had that fire in his eyes. He had that determination to shut his trolls and those criticizing him for the way he bats with the tail. So heartening to see him in absolute beast mode ❤️💪 #INDvsENG

— Anuj Nitin Prabhu (@APTalksCricket) August 2, 2025

I have a feeling that Washington Sundar may soon get a Steve Smith-esque promotion. https://t.co/o4VtczLPTY pic.twitter.com/0ozBs7mG8z

— Broken Cricket Dreams Cricket Blog (@cricket_broken) August 2, 2025

Washington Sundar, who went from No.8 to No.9, and ends up with more runs in the series than all options India tried at the No.3 position in the series. Will also have more runs than England's No.3, vice-captain (& stand-in captain) if Pope ends up making < 5.#ENGvsIND

— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) August 2, 2025

Irrespective of where the test is played Washington Sundar's name should be the first name written on the sheet even when great Bumrah is available..

— Amal Sudhakaran (@amal_sachinism) August 2, 2025

Ranganathan Easwaran, the father of the uncapped Indian top-order batter Abhimanyu Easwaran, has blasted over Indian selection process after his son has consistently been ignored for the playing XIs despite deserving. 

It is 950+ days since Abhimanyu Easwaran was first selected in the Indian squad, and he is still waiting for his first international cap. In the ongoing five-match Test series in England (Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025), the 29-year-old top-order batter has constantly been ignored, while the Indian team management has experimented with the no.3 batting position. 

Before the beginning of the last Test of the series at The Oval, the Indian team management went with Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair for the no.3 batting positions, two Tests for each. While both have been selected for the fifth Test, just like the Test series opener, the former is playing the no.3 batting role. 

See Also: 'Those were the right picks' - Former India coach backs key selections for ENG vs IND 2025 5th Test

Karun wasn't picked for the Duleep Trophy or the Irani Trophy: Abhimanyu Easwaran's father

Easwaran's father opened up that Nair wasn't in the Indian Test team during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, as well as in the last Duleep Trophy or Irani Trophy. 

Recently, Ranganathan told the Times of India, "I'm not keeping a count of the number of days that Abhimanyu has been waiting for his Test debut. I am counting the years; it has been three years now. What is the job of a player? It is to score runs. He has done that. People said he didn't perform in two India A matches during the last tour of Australia and didn't get into the team, which is fair enough. But Karun Nair wasn't in the team during the period when Abhimanyu performed before the BGT. Karun wasn't picked for the Duleep Trophy or the Irani Trophy. Abhimanyu scored close to 864 runs if you consider the period from last year to the current year." 

My son looks a little depressed: Abhimanyu Easwaran's father

Easwaran's father believes that Karun Nair's chance is fair enough, but why is his son ignored despite performing consistently? He has also questioned the selection process for Test cricket.  

Ranganathan added, "Then how do they compare? I don't understand. They gave a chance to Karun Nair. Fair enough, he scored 800-plus runs. The selectors have put faith in him. My son looks a little depressed, but that is bound to happen. Some players jump the gun based on IPL performances, which earn them a spot in the Test team. IPL performances should not be counted while selecting the team for the longest format. Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and Irani Trophy should be the basis for Test selection." 

Abhimanyu Easwaran mostly missed the last domestic season due to his injury, while Karun Nair maintained his dream wild batting form that season. However, in limited chances, Easwaran shone with the bat last season, including scoring centuries in all three matches of the last Duleep Trophy season. In the present England tour, while Easwaran served for India A, he scored two second-innings half-centuries for his team against England Lions. 

The Oval Test is less than 24 hours away from beginning, which is a must-win game for India to save this away Test series, and it will be a remarkable result for the Indian cricket team. On the eve of the Test series decider, Indian Test captain Shubman Gill spoke about the availability of Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah for the crucial Test match.

The visitors India are trailing the five-match Test series in England (Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025) by 2-1 with one to go. The Oval Test will begin on Thursday (July 31), where England need to draw to win the series, and India must win the Test to save the series 2-2. 

Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah is the joint second leading wicket-taker in the ongoing Test series with 14 wickets in five innings, including two fifers. He has already played three Tests in this series, which was expected. Due to the workload management, while there isn't much gap between the end of the Manchester Test and the beginning of The Oval Test, Bumrah's availability is doubtful for the series decider.

Last day, ESPNcricinfo reported that Bumrah is likely to miss The Oval Test as the medical team felt that the Indian pacer needed to rest, considering his back and the long-term implications. 

We will take a decision tomorrow: Indian captain on Jasprit Bumrah's availability for The Oval Test

However, in the latest press conference, Indian captain Shubman Gill revealed that the decision on Bumrah's availability for The Oval Test will be decided on the matchday morning. As the wicket looks very green, the right-arm fast bowler's service is likely to be very crucial for the visitors, especially when the Test series is at stake. 

Gill said, “We will take a decision (on Bumrah) tomorrow; the wicket looks very green. So we will see how it turns out."

See Also: Ben Stokes rested as England announce their playing XI for ENG vs IND 5th Test

Arshdeep Singh has been asked to get ready: Shubman Gill

While the left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is reportedly close to making his Test debut, the Indian skipper revealed that the pacer had been asked to get ready, and the final decision would be taken on matchday. 

The Indian Test captain added, "Arshdeep Singh has been asked to get ready, but we will take a call on the playing XI after looking at the pitch, by this evening. England haven’t picked a frontline spinner, we have Jadeja and Washi to do the job.”

The Asia Cup 2025 schedule has been revealed recently, as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will host this tournament between September 9 and 28. It will be a T20I tournament, where eight Asian teams will participate. Eight-time Asia Cup champions (including one T20 Asia Cup title) India will be one of the favourites for this tournament. 

In the group stage, India will face UAE and Oman, along with the arch-rivals Pakistan. Meanwhile, in the Super Four, they can face teams like Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, etc. While it is going to be an exciting and challenging tournament for India, here we are looking at the best possible playing XI for India for the Asia Cup 2025. 

See Also: Why is the Asia Cup needed for Pakistan Cricket to survive?

Best playing XI for India for Asia Cup 2025

Yashasvi Jaiswal: It will be interesting to see if the Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is considered for the Asia Cup 2025 after a long English tour, where the left-handed opening batter has played an important part in the five-match Test series. Although he hasn't played a T20I since last July, the 23-year-old will surely be interested in the tournament to put up a strong fight for the T20 World Cup 2026 selection.  

Tilak Varma: Indian opener Tilak Varma slammed two centuries during the T20I series against the hosts South Africa last year. After winning the Player of the Series award in the South Africa tour's T20I format, he also finished as the third leading run-scorer in the home T20I series against England. He is becoming a powerful T20I opener for India.

Abhishek Sharma: During the home T20I series against England, Abhishek Sharma impressed with his powerful batting performances, as he scored 279 runs in five innings in that series with one century and one half-century while maintaining a strike rate of 219.68, which made him the Player of the Series. 

Sanju Samson (wk): Despite having a record of three T20I centuries, Sanju Samson is under pressure due to his inconsistent performances with the bat. As Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Jitesh Sharma, Dhruv Jurel, etc. are in a strong battle for the Indian T20I wicketkeeping role, the Asia Cup 2025 will be a good chance for Samson to prove his spot. 

Suryakumar Yadav (Captain): While Suryakumar Yadav-led India have produced strong results in recent T20I cricket, his batting as a captain isn't powerful at all. However, his incredibly consistent batting form in the IPL 2025 brought out his popular dangerous batter image. With 717 runs, Yadav was the second most run-scorer in the IPL 2025. So, we can expect old SKY in the upcoming Asia Cup tournament. 

Rinku Singh: Rinku Singh brings the fire to the Indian middle-order batting, who has a batting average and strike-rate of 42.00 and 161.06, respectively, in T20I cricket. Although he wasn't consistent enough in the IPL 2025 for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), one-season struggle hasn't brought any big doubt on his powerful batting skills. 

Hardik Pandya: Experienced all-rounder Hardik Pandya provides a strong balance in middle-order batting and pace-bowling in Indian cricket. His slog-over bowling has proved powerful for the Men in Blues, as he was a key member of India's title success in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. 

Axar Patel: Just like Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel also brings useful all-round depth to the Indian team. His left-handed batting and left-arm spin are both important for the Men in Blues, as he was an important character for India during their win the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. 

Arshdeep Singh: The left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is the leading T20I wicket-taker for India and is just a wicket away from completing his 100 T20I wickets. In the powerplay and slog overs, his swing bowling skill and perfect yorkers are the biggest strengths in the Indian pace-bowling line-up. 

Harshit Rana: The 23-year-old Indian fast bowler Harshit Rana is growing strongly. Although he has played only one T20I, as he made his T20I debut during the last home T20I series against England and picked up three wickets, he still can play as a main pacer for the Men in Blues in the Asia Cup 2025. However, he may have to face strong challenges with Prasidh Krishna, Ravi Bishnoi, etc.

Varun Chakravarthy: Since the end of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, the leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy is the leading wicket-taker in T20I cricket among the ICC Full Members, as he has taken 31 wickets in only 12 T20Is, including two fifers. 

While the visitors India are fighting to save the remarkable away Test series in England, they have a big setback in less than 48 hours before the beginning of the last Test of the five-match series against the hosts England. 

It is the five-match Test series between the hosts England and the visitors India, named the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. England are currently leading the Test series by 2-1 with a match to go. The hosts won the first and third Tests of the series by five wickets (at Leeds) and 22 runs (at Lord's), respectively. Meanwhile, India won the second Test of the series by 336 runs at Edgbaston, while incredibly drew the fourth Test in Manchester to keep the series alive. 

Kennington Oval or The Oval in London will host the last Test of the series, starting on July 31. It will be the must-win fixture for India, who can only draw the Test series as their best possible result. Meanwhile, a draw in the upcoming Test will be enough for the hosts to win this Test. 

See Also: Who should play ENG vs IND 5th Test if Jasprit Bumrah does not play?

Jasprit Bumrah likely to miss The Oval Test

So, there is no doubt about the importance of The Oval Test for India, but the visitors have got a big blow, as the prime Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is reportedly set to miss the Test series decider. According to a recent ESPNcricinfo report, the BCCI medical team believes that the fast bowler should be rested, considering his back and the long-term implications. 

Before the start of the Test series, it was reported that Bumrah would be available for the first three Tests of the series, while he might miss the other two due to the need for a rapid recovery process. While the tireless Manchester Test ended on Sunday (July 27), the last Test of the series is set to begin on Thursday (July 31). Although Bumrah didn't need to bowl on Sunday, the BCCI medical team feels that the pacer needs more time to be available for a big Test match. 

Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025: Bumrah is joint second-most wicket-taker

Despite being rested from the Edgbaston Test, Bumrah is the joint second leading wicket-taker in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 with 14 wickets in five innings with an average of 26.00, including two fifers. 

According to an ESPNcricinfo report, Akash Deep is likely to replace Bumrah for The Oval Test. The Bengal pacer claimed a ten-wicket haul during the Edgbaston Test, where the visitors set a record-breaking win. He also featured in the Lord's Test but missed the Manchester Test due to an injury. 

Even before the beginning of the last Test of the thrilling ongoing five-match Test series, the controversy erupted after the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and the chief curator of The Oval had a heated argument. Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak opened up about that incident. 

During a recent practice session, Gautam Gambhir and Lee Fortis, the chief curator of The Oval, had a heated argument. According to the Indian batting coach Kotak, the head coach wanted to look at the pitch from a closer angle while wearing joggers, but the curator didn't like that.

[WATCH] ENG vs IND 5th Test: Oval's Lee Fortis open up his side over controversy with Gautam Gambhir

We did nothing wrong: Indian batting coach

In the press conference, the Indian batting coach claimed, “When we were having a look at the wicket, they sent a man to tell us to stay 2.5 metres away from the pitch. We were wearing joggers.”

Understanding the curators' view, Kotak felt that the Indian team didn't do anything wrong in that situation to make it a heated moment. He added, “We know curators are possessive about the square. What he said about the head coach is his opinion and I don’t want to comment. But we did nothing wrong."

The way he spoke, it was a bit arrogant

Kotak felt that the chief curator was arrogant, for which the man is popular in world cricket. The Indian batting coach said, “You can be protective about the square, but not arrogant. It’s not an antique that you can’t touch. He said they were trying to grow grass, but we were in joggers so we didn’t see the problem. The way he spoke, it was a bit arrogant. Everyone knows the curator at The Oval is not the easiest person to deal with.”

Indian batting coach talking about the heated conversation between Gambhir and curator. pic.twitter.com/5hMd6LYTOV

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 29, 2025

The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, the five-match Test series between the hosts England and the visitors India, currently stands at 2-1 with the last Test yet to be played. The Oval in London will host the last Test, starting on August 31. It will be the must-win game for India only to draw the away series, while a draw will be enough for England to win this home Test series.  

At the end of the Manchester Test, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that the Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant will miss the last Test of the ongoing five-match Test series in England, and also confirmed the replacement of the player for the forthcoming Test match. 

During the first innings of the Manchester Test, Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant was injured on the opening day while batting. Attempting to awkward reverse-sweep to English pacer Chris Woakes, Pant's missed time shot hit his right foot. On the broadcasting video, it was clearly visible that his foot was swollen and bleeding. It was very painful for him as he was forced to retire hurt. 

Although the medical report confirmed his fractured foot, Pant returned to bat on the second day and resumed his innings from 37 runs. Despite being hardly able to run, Pant fought bravely and scored 54 runs before Jofra Archer bowled him. 

Pant even arrived at the stadium on crutches on the final day of the Manchester Test, and he was reportedly ready to bat on the final day if required. However, the Indian batters' brave fight denied any forced responsibility from injured Pant, who obviously did not keep wicket in this Test match.  

See Also: English captain Ben Stokes speaks about hand shake controversy

Narayan Jagadeesan replaced Rishabh Pant for The Oval Test

At the end of the Manchester Test, the BCCI has confirmed that Pant has been ruled out of the final Test due to a fractured right foot. Narayan Jagadeesan, the 29-year-old uncapped wicketkeeper, has replaced Pant for the last Test of the series. 

🚨 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗱 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 🚨

Rishabh Pant ruled out of fifth Test due to injury; N Jagadeesan named replacement.

All The Details 🔽 #TeamIndia | #ENGvIND

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 27, 2025

While the Manchester Test was the fourth game of the five-match Test series between the hosts England and the visitors India, the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, the visitors India are trailing this series by 2-1 after the fourth Test. The Oval will host the final Test of the series, starting on Thursday (July 31). England need a draw result to win their first Test series against India since 2021, and India must win the last Test only to draw the Test series. 

Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh in the updated fifth Test squad

Indian pacers Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh were ruled out of the Manchester Test due to their injuries, while the injured pace-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was out of the remainder of the Test series. However, both Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh have been shown available for the upcoming fifth Test of the Test series in England.

Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025: India's updated squad for The Oval Test

Shubman Gill (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj, Arshdeep Singh, N Jagadeesan (WK).