Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batter Narayan Jagadeesan has been added to India’s squad for the fifth and final Test against England, replacing the injured Rishabh Pant, who has been ruled out after sustaining a fractured metatarsal. Pant picked up the injury while attempting a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes on the opening day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester.

India have thus suffered a significant setback heading into the series decider, which begins on 31 July at The Oval in London. Pant’s scans confirmed a fracture in his right foot, rendering him unavailable for the remainder of the tour. The BCCI Medical Team will continue to monitor his recovery. “The team wishes him a speedy recovery,” the board said in a statement.

ENG vs IND 4th Test Day 5 Updates

Jagadeesan, 28, received his maiden Test call-up on the back of consistent performances in domestic cricket and brings with him a wealth of first-class experience. His inclusion gives India a second specialist wicketkeeper in the squad alongside Dhruv Jurel, with KL Rahul not keeping wickets due to ongoing fitness concerns.

India’s updated squad for the fifth Test: Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj, Arshdeep Singh, Narayan Jagadeesan (wk).

Jagadeesan has scored 3,373 runs from 52 first-class matches, including 10 centuries and 14 half-centuries, at an average of 47.50. He replaces Rishabh Pant, who is India’s third-highest run-scorer in the ongoing series with 479 runs at an average of 68.42, including two centuries and three fifties.

Pant’s absence leaves a significant void as India aim to close the five-match ICC World Test Championship series with a win at The Oval.

After losing the opening Test at Trent Bridge, India levelled the series at Edgbaston. England regained the lead with a narrow win at Lord’s, while the fourth Test at Old Trafford ended in a well-contested draw. A win at The Oval would help India draw the series, while England will be looking to seal it 3-1.

Pant’s absence will undoubtedly be felt – especially in English conditions where his counter-attacking style has proved invaluable in the past. As India look to close out the series on a high, all eyes will be on the new-look squad to deliver in the crunch Test at The Oval.

– Ends

Tune In