London, July 28, 2025 – In a significant development ahead of the fifth and final Test at The Oval, the Indian team management has announced that Narayan Jagadeesan will replace the injured Rishabh Pant in the playing squad.
Pant, who suffered a minor groin strain during the fourth Test, has been ruled out as a precautionary measure. The team’s medical staff confirmed that while the injury isn’t serious, they don’t want to risk aggravating it ahead of the upcoming limited-overs series.
Narayan Jagadeesan, who has been in prolific form in domestic cricket and for India A, gets his maiden Test call-up. The Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batter has consistently impressed with his solid technique and calm temperament. With over 800 runs in the recent Ranji Trophy season, including three centuries, Jagadeesan has been knocking on the selectors’ door for some time now.
Speaking on the decision, head coach Rahul Dravid said, “Jagadeesan has shown great maturity with the bat and behind the stumps. He’s earned this opportunity, and we believe he’s ready for the challenge at the highest level.”
The inclusion of Jagadeesan is seen not just as a stop-gap solution but also as a move towards strengthening India’s bench strength in the red-ball format. While KS Bharat was also in contention, the selectors opted for Jagadeesan based on his recent consistency with the bat.
The fifth Test at The Oval, starting Friday, is poised to be a series decider, with both teams currently tied at 2-2. India will be hoping that the inclusion of Narayan Jagadeesan brings stability and resilience to their middle order.
Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the 28-year-old performs under pressure in his debut Test appearance.
