Tamil Nadu’s seasoned wicketkeeper-batter N Jagadeesan is set to join the Indian Test squad in England as a cover for the injured Rishabh Pant. Jagadeesan has received his UK visa and is scheduled to fly out to England on the morning of July 27.
Pant suffered a toe fracture during the opening day of the fourth Test in Manchester.Â
Scans confirmed the toe fracture, ruling him out of the fifth and final Test of the series. With Dhruv Jurel already in the squad, the selectors have decided to add N Jagadeesan as a backup wicket-keeper.
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N Jagadeesan’s Consistent Run Rewarded
Jagadeesan has been one of the most reliable performers in Indian domestic cricket over the last few years. He has featured in 52 first-class matches and scored 3,373 runs, which include 10 centuries and 14 fifties.
More than just runs, it is Jagadeesan’s mental strength and discipline that have impressed the selectors. A source shared how he once skipped his sister’s wedding to play the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, watching the ceremony over Skype.
"There was uncertainty about Jagadeesan's selection initially, as high-profile cricketers like Ishan Kishan were also competing for the same role. However, being picked ahead of Kishan is a major credit for him and it is quite surreal that he'll be representing the Indian team. Jagadeesan has scored double and triple hundreds on a consistent basis with several world records under his belt. We had expected him to make it to the Indian team earlier," a source said as quoted to The Times of India.
"Jagadeesan is a level-headed player who is mentally very strong. That is what has resulted in him going all the way and getting picked in the Indian team. He has put in a lot of hard work and made a lot of sacrifices over the years. Jagadeesan even missed his sister's wedding after being picked for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), watching the rituals on Skype. He has always been very particular about playing for the country rather than getting distracted by the IPL," he added.
Injury Troubles Mount for India
Rishabh Pant’s injury adds to a growing list of fitness concerns that have plagued the Indian team on this England tour. Pacers Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep were unavailable for the fourth Test due to injuries. All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who played the second and third Test, also got ruled out for the rest of the series after hurting his knee during training.
Pacer Anshul Kamboj was added to the squad and made his debut in the ongoing fourth Test.Â
India currently trail 2-1 in the five-match series and are struggling in the Manchester Test as well.
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