- July 25, 2025
Being Pant means juggling flair and fearlessness while the world watches with bated breath and dropped jaws. However, with every lucky break comes great responsibility, and that is exactly what N Jagadeesan is about to inherit. When Pant’s toe cried foul at Old Trafford, the call went out to Tamil Nadu’s glove-wielding maestro to steady the ship for the grand finale. This may be a case of fortunate timing for Pant, but it may well become the launch pad for Jagadeesan’s career.
From Quiet Consistency to a Test Call-Up
N Jagadeesan isn’t a big name. He doesn’t set the internet alight with social media tongue-twisters or pull off ridiculous reverse-scoops like Pant. What he offers is solidity — precisely what India requires as this intense series concludes. His stats in red ball cricket speak for themselves: 3373 runs in 52 first-class matches, averaging 47.50, including 10 hundreds. In the last Ranji season, he was the highest run-scorer for Tamil Nadu with 674 runs at an average above 56.
This selection is a reward for consistent domestic excellence. While others have jumped on a fast train due to IPL fame or due to the media buzz around them, Jagadeesan has taken the long road. The type of grind that turns you into a rock in the middle order, which selectors can at last rely on when Plan A goes wrong.
The Keeper Conundrum: What Tilted It in Jagadeesan’s Favour?
It was not an easy choice. The most straightforward pick was Ishan Kishan, but he wasn’t in the mix. Dhruv Jurel is already in the squad, and KS Bharat, who has had Test experience in England, is busy playing league cricket in the UK and was not selected. That was a difficult situation for the selectors. Then we have Jagadeesan.
The good thing for him is that not only is he in good form with the bat, but he has been very good with the gloves and behind the stumps. He hasn’t played at this level yet, but his domestic keeping has been consistent and unorthodox enough that teams are trusting him to play red-ball and handle the intensity of Test cricket. In contrast to KL Rahul, he isn’t filling in—he’s a specialist by trade. This is extremely important considering that in a format where one missed catch can change the course of the game.
A Debut Incoming—or a Bench-Warmer Role?
With Jurel set to remain India’s first-choice keeper for the last Test, it is unlikely that Jagadeesan would simply walk straight back into the XI. But, don’t take this the wrong way—if and when Jagadeesan plays, it will be for more than symbolic reasons. It establishes that the selectors are not only watching the domestic game, but are also prepared to offer consistency a path over hype. And with India having a busy Test schedule count approaching, it could be the start for him.
Even if he doesn’t play straight away, just being in the squad in English conditions, learning the pressures and working with the coaching staff, might benefit his development immensely.
Jagadeesan’s call-up has its own story of grit, grind, and capturing the time when it arose. Of course, the void of Pant is the centre of attention, but this could just be the start of a new period in India’s wheelhouse.
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