ENG vs IND 2025: Ishan Kishan to be recalled to India squad as injury cover for Rishabh Pant

The wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan is expected to return to the Indian Test squad after reports emerged that the Ajit Agarkar — Chairman of the All India Men's Senior Selection Committee, wants him to join the team in England following Rishabh Pant’s injury and subsequent ruling out of the remainder of the series.

Kishan last represented India in November 2023 in a T20I against Australia and has featured in two Test matches, both against the West Indies earlier the same year. However, with Dhruv Jurel expected to take over wicketkeeping duties in Manchester and replace Pant for the final Test at The Oval, Kishan is likely to serve as the backup wicketkeeper.

“The selection committee will add Ishan Kishan to the squad ahead of the fifth Test as Pant won't be part of the final Test match, which will be played from July 31 to August 4 at The Oval,” a source in the report was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

Good opportunity for Kishan to regain national place

Kishan was removed from BCCI’s Central Contract list in 2024 after failing to comply with the board’s mandate to participate in domestic cricket. However, he made a comeback by representing Jharkhand during the 2024–25 domestic season, which eventually led to him regaining his central contract in April 2025.

Currently, Kishan is playing for Northamptonshire in Division One of the ongoing County Championship season, where he has impressed with scores of 87 and 77 in recent innings on his debut stint.

Kishan's recent form

In the IPL 2025 season, Kishan represented Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), scoring 354 runs in 14 matches. He also notched up his maiden IPL century, reaching the milestone in just 45 balls against Rajasthan Royals. SRH secured his services for INR 11.25 crore during the mega-auction held last year.

The 27-year-old has mostly featured in ODIs and T20Is for India, scoring 78 runs, including a half-century in red-ball cricket. Notably, in December 2022, he made headlines by smashing the fastest-ever double century in ODI history, bringing up 200 off just 126 balls, 12 balls quicker than the previous record held by West Indies legend Chris Gayle. He also became the youngest player to achieve this remarkable feat.