Rishabh Pant Out of Asia Cup, West Indies Tests After Manchester Injury

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has reportedly been ruled out of the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 and is also set to miss the home Test series against West Indies after sustaining an injury during the Manchester Test of the recently-concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England.

According to a report in the Times of India, Pant suffered a toe fracture after being struck on the foot by a searing yorker from England pacer Chris Woakes during India’s batting innings at Old Trafford.

He was immediately taken for scans, which revealed the fracture. While no surgery is required, the injury has ruled him out of competitive action for at least six weeks.

Despite the pain, Pant returned to bat the following day and notched up a gritty half-century, helping India avoid defeat in the fourth Test. However, he missed the final Test at The Oval, which India dramatically won by six runs to level the five-match series 2-2.

The 17th edition of the Asia Cup is scheduled to take place in the UAE between September 9 and 28 in the T20 format, as a build-up to the ICC T20 World Cup later this year.

India will open their campaign against UAE on September 10 in Dubai, with Pakistan, UAE, and Oman also placed in Group A. Group B includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.

Following the Asia Cup, India are scheduled to host West Indies for a two-match Test series from October 2 to 14, which Pant is also expected to miss as part of his recovery timeline.

This setback comes as a blow to Team India, with Pant being a central figure in their middle order and a vital presence behind the stumps, especially in the T20 format.

The selectors may now be forced to explore alternate options for both the Asia Cup and the Tests, with names like Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, or even Jitesh Sharma potentially in contention depending on fitness and form.