Tamil Nadu’s Narayan Jagadeesan has received his maiden Test call-up as a replacement for the injured Rishabh Pant. Pant was ruled out due to a fractured toe sustained during the fourth Test. On Day 1, Pant was struck by a ball while batting, leading to visible pain and his removal from the field. Scans confirmed a fractured toe. At 29 years old, Jagadeesan will be joining the Indian team in England, having secured his visa on Sunday. In his first-class career, Jagadeesan has played 52 matches, scoring 3373 runs with an average of 47.50, including 10 centuries and 14 half-centuries. During the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, he performed impressively, scoring 674 runs in eight matches at an average of 56.16. He has also been on the BCCI’s radar, being shortlisted by their centre of excellence. The fifth Test against England begins on July 31 at The Oval, a crucial match for India as they aim to level the series, currently led by England 2-1. With Jagadeesan’s inclusion, India is poised to capitalize on the opportunity.
