Jagadeesan India call-up to India’s Test squad for the final match of the England series has taken fans by surprise. After Rishabh Pant’s injury at Old Trafford, selectors made a bold call to bring in Tamil Nadu’s N Jagadeesan for the Oval Test. The announcement marks one of the most exciting late-series twists of the 2025 tour.
Why Was Jagadeesan Selected?
Pant suffered a serious toe injury while playing a reverse sweep. With Ishan Kishan still unavailable, selectors were forced to look outside the main squad. The Jagadeesan India call-up stood out because of his consistent domestic form and wicketkeeping prowess.
Key Stats That Made the Difference
- 674 Ranji Trophy runs in the 2024–25 season
- Over 3,300 First-Class runs at an average of 47.50
- 10 First-Class centuries
- Played a pivotal role in Tamil Nadu’s Ranji semi-final run
- Maintained a 90%+ dismissal conversion rate behind the stumps
According to Times of India, Jagadeesan’s form in both red-ball and white-ball formats made him a strong contender. Former cricketers like Dinesh Karthik and Laxman Sivaramakrishnan welcomed the call-up, saying it rewards performance over hype. This selection reflects India’s deeper bench strength in Tests.
“This is a classic case of selectors backing data and form,” says cricket analyst Harsha Bhogle.
Where He Fits In the Playing XI
Though Dhruv Jurel is expected to keep wickets, Jagadeesan may play as a specialist batter. With the Oval pitch likely to favor swing early and settle later, his temperament suits the middle order’s needs. The Jagadeesan India call-up gives India much-needed flexibility heading into the decider.
