Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval, paving the way for Narayan Jagadeesan to join the squad as his replacement. This move comes after Pant suffered a foot fracture during the fourth Test at Old Trafford, leading to a significant void in India’s line-up for the last match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Rishabh Pant takes a painful blow on Day 1 of the Manchester Test

The setback for India unfolded late on Day 1 of the fourth Test, when Pant attempted a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes but only managed to inside-edge the ball onto his right boot. Immediate distress and swelling were evident, prompting team physios to rush to his aid. Pant, who had to be carried off on a golf cart, was later diagnosed with a toe fracture following scans at the ground’s medical facility. The medical team confirmed that Pant will be sidelined for at least six weeks, ruling him out of both the remainder of the Manchester Test and the upcoming fixture at The Oval.

The selectors have called up N Jagadeesan, the talented wicketkeeper-batter, to fill the void. While there were initial reports that Ishan Kishan might be added to the squad, recent updates confirm Jagadeesan is in line to don the gloves for the fifth Test.

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Who is N Jagadeesan?

N Jagadeesan, 29, is renowned for his consistent performances in domestic cricket and his ability behind the stumps. Emerging from Tamil Nadu’s robust cricketing structure, Jagadeesan has notched impressive numbers, particularly in limited-overs cricket, including a record 277-run knock in List A cricket—the highest ever in the format.

Jagadeesan’s recent domestic touch remains notable, with quickfire half-centuries in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL)  and recent outings in the Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophies, showcasing both his form and sharp wicketkeeping skills. Though his international exposure remains limited, his List A and first-class performances have kept him within selector consideration for national duties.

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