Narayan (N) Jagadeesan and his role in the India vs England 5th Test (2025) at The Oval:
๐งค Who is Narayan Jagadeesan?
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A standout wicketkeeper–batter from Tamil Nadu, born December 24, 1995 (Coimbatore), with over 3,373 runs in 52 first‑class matches at an impressive average of 47.50, including 10 centuries and 14 fifties (Wikipedia).
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Known for a record-breaking 321 in Ranji Trophy and top form in domestic red-ball cricket in recent seasons (Cricket.com).
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๐ How did he get called up for the 5th Test?
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During the 4th Test at Old Trafford (Manchester) on July 24–25, 2025, Rishabh Pant fractured his right foot, ruling him out of the series finale (The Guardian).
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With Pant unavailable and Ishan Kishan sidelined by injury, the BCCI selected Jagadeesan as the replacement wicketkeeper for the final Test at The Oval (July 31–August 4, 2025) (Reuters).
๐ The Final Test: India Squad & Jagadeesan’s Role
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India’s squad for the 5th Test includes Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, and others. Jagadeesan joins as backup wicketkeeper alongside Dhruv Jurel, who kept at Old Trafford (The Guardian).
๐ฃ️ Jagadeesan on Team Call-Up & Mentorship
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Jagadeesan shared that he had been on India’s “targeted player list” for years and was mentally prepared when the call came, describing playing in Test whites as a “dream moment” for him, as well as for his family and coach (Cricxtasy).
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He cited Robin Uthappa—his former teammate at Chennai Super Kings—as a key mentor who helped him mentally and technically prepare for high-pressure moments. He explicitly mentioned not regarding MS Dhoni as mentor, crediting Uthappa instead (Cricxtasy).
๐ Performance Outlook & Reaction
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Media reports debate whether Jagadeesan was the ideal replacement, citing his strong domestic record but contrasting it with Pant’s international experience (Sportskeeda).
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This marks Jagadeesan’s Test debut opportunity, which comes at a critical juncture with India trailing 2–1 in the series and heading into a decisive final showdown at the Oval (The Guardian).
๐ฎ Summary Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Narayan “N.” Jagadeesan |
| Role | Wicketkeeper–batter, domestic star |
| Test Series | India vs England, 5th Test (July 31–Aug 4, 2025) |
| Reason for Call-up | Rishabh Pant injured, Ishan Kishan unavailable |
| Squad Position | Backup keeper with Dhruv Jurel |
| Background Highlights | 3,373 FC runs at 47.50 average; Ranji triple-century |
| Mentor Influence | Robin Uthappa |
๐ญ What Next?
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Jagadeesan will travel after securing a UK visa (may take ~48 hrs) and join Team India in London ahead of the Oval Test (Lokmat Times, Cricket.com, Inside Sport India, Outlook India, The Times of India).
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His performance—both behind the stumps and with the bat—will determine whether he gains momentum as a viable Test option or remains a stand-in for this series.
⚠️ Quick Clarifications
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The 5th Test runs from July 31 to August 4, 2025, at The Kia Oval, London (The Guardian).
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Pant’s injury happened on July 24, 2025, in the 4th Test’s first innings at Manchester, leading to his exclusion from the finale (The Guardian, Reuters).
In summary, Narayan Jagadeesan, a prolific red-ball keeper‑batter, earned his maiden Test call-up to cover for the injured Rishabh Pant, joining India’s squad for the decisive 5th Test in England. He’s inspired by former great Robin Uthappa, and now awaits a debut on cricket’s grandest stage.
