With Rishabh Pant ruled out of the remainder of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 due to a fractured toe, N Jagadeesan is emerging as the frontrunner to replace him in the Indian squad for the final Test. The Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batter is expected to be added soon, with an official announcement likely in the coming days.
Pant sustained the injury on Day 1 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, while attempting a reverse sweep. The fracture to his right toe not only ruled him out of keeping duties but has also sidelined him for the final Test of the series.
In the wake of Pant’s injury, the BCCI, national selectors, and team management explored replacement options. Ishan Kishan was initially considered but was found to be unavailable due to an ankle injury. That left 29-year-old Jagadeesan as the most suitable candidate.
Consistent Domestic Performer
Jagadeesan has been rewarded for his excellent form in red-ball cricket. In 52 first-class matches, he has scored 3,373 runs at an average of 47.50, with 10 centuries and 14 half-centuries. His performances in the most recent Ranji Trophy season were particularly impressive — 674 runs in 8 matches at an average of 56.16, including two hundreds and five fifties. He was Tamil Nadu’s highest scorer and the second-highest among wicketkeepers, behind only Vidarbha’s Akshay Wadkar (722 runs).
Limited Backup Options
Ideally, the selectors would have picked a keeper from the recent India A tour, but options were limited. Dhruv Jurel, already in the squad, is handling keeping duties in the ongoing Test, while KS Bharat, currently playing club cricket in England, was not considered despite prior Test experience.
KL Rahul, who has kept wickets in international tournaments like the World Cup and Champions Trophy, remains a backup option, but India appear set to bolster their squad with a dedicated red-ball keeper in Jagadeesan.
