Following the injury blow to Rishabh Pant, who fractured his toe during the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper N Jagadeesan has received a maiden national call-up for the fifth and final Test at The Oval (July 31–August 4). With Pant ruled out and Ishan Kishan unavailable due to an ankle injury, the selectors were left scrambling for a reliable replacement behind the stumps.
Jagadeesan Gets the Nod After Strong Domestic Performances
The 29-year-old Jagadeesan was informed on Thursday afternoon to prepare for immediate travel to England and is currently in the process of securing his visa. His selection is a reward for his consistent performances in domestic cricket, particularly for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy, where he has amassed 3373 runs in 52 first-class matches at an average of 47.50, including 10 centuries and 14 fifties. His standout moment came with a triple century, underlining his capacity for long innings.
A regular in the India A setup, Jagadeesan has long been on the selectors’ radar. In fact, with Pant still in recovery last season, chief selector Ajit Agarkar personally scouted Jagadeesan during a Ranji Trophy game in Chennai. Apart from his batting credentials, the right-hander is regarded as a safe and agile presence behind the stumps.
Ishan Kishan Unavailable, KS Bharat Overlooked
Initially, Ishan Kishan was expected to replace Pant, given his recent participation in County matches. However, the Jharkhand player informed selectors that he is recovering from an ankle injury and is not fully fit for the fifth Test.
KS Bharat, who had played in the earlier matches of the series, was also in contention. But the selectors reportedly decided against recalling him after a string of underwhelming performances with both the bat and gloves during the home series against England earlier this year.
This opened the door for Jagadeesan, widely regarded as the next in line, especially with his recent form and familiarity with red-ball cricket.
𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: Rishabh Pant, who sustained an injury to his right foot on Day 1 of the Manchester Test, will not be performing wicket-keeping duties for the remainder of the match. Dhruv Jurel will assume the role of wicket-keeper.
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 24, 2025
Despite his injury, Rishabh Pant has joined the…
Dhruv Jurel Likely to Keep Wickets at The Oval
Despite Jagadeesan’s inclusion, it is Dhruv Jurel who is most likely to take up the wicketkeeping duties in the fifth Test. Jurel, who was already part of the squad and has kept wickets during both the third and fourth Tests in Pant’s absence, has impressed the team management with his glove work and on-field temperament.
The BCCI confirmed on Day 2 at Manchester that Pant would not keep wickets for the remainder of the match and that Jurel would assume those responsibilities. The young Rajasthan wicketkeeper, who has shown maturity beyond his years, is now in line for a longer run in the Test squad.
Pant, meanwhile, did briefly return to the field at Old Trafford to bat through pain, receiving a standing ovation when he walked out, showcasing his resilience and commitment. However, with the medical scans revealing a fractured toe, he has now been advised a six-week recovery period, ruling him out of the series finale.
A New Face for India, A Big Opportunity for Jagadeesan
Jagadeesan’s sudden call-up is a significant moment for the Tamil Nadu cricketer, who has long waited on the fringes of national selection. While it’s unclear whether he will debut immediately at The Oval or serve as backup, his inclusion signals a fresh direction in India’s wicketkeeping stocks, especially in the longer format.
With the series delicately poised and India dealing with an injury-hit squad, the fifth Test presents both a challenge and an opportunity—for the team to regroup and for new faces like Jurel and Jagadeesan to make their mark on the big stage.
