Jagadeesan Poised to Replace Injured Pant in Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy

N Jagadeesan is likely to step in for the injured Rishabh Pant for the remainder of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. The Tamil Nadu's right-handed wicket-keeper batsman is expected to be added to the squad. An official announcement is anticipated shortly.

Jagadeesan could come in for Pant. © BCCI/IPL

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), along with national selectors and the team management, sought a suitable replacement for Pant, who was ruled out of the series due to a fractured right toe. The injury occurred on the first day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, while he was batting.

Ultimately, Jagadeesan, 29, was identified and is expected to join the squad before the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Ishan Kishan was considered as a potential option, but the 27-year-old Jharkhand keeper is unavailable.

Jagadeesan's selection is largely based on his impressive domestic performances, especially in red-ball cricket. He has scored 3373 runs in 52 first-class matches, maintaining a healthy average of 47.50, including 14 half-centuries and 10 centuries.

During the most recent Ranji season, Jagadeesan amassed 674 runs in eight matches, averaging an impressive 56.16, with two centuries and five fifties. He was the highest run-scorer for his state in the competition. Among wicketkeepers, he had the second-highest aggregate, only behind Vidarbha's Akshay Wadkar (722 runs at 45.12 in 10 matches).

Ideally, selectors would have considered the keeper from the A tour preceding the senior series. However, with limited options – Kishan injured and Dhruv Jurel already in the senior squad – they had to explore alternative choices.

Selectors also had the option of choosing KS Bharat, another keeper-batter currently playing for Dulwich CC in England. Despite having played a Test in England, he was not considered for selection.

Jurel will keep wickets in the ongoing Old Trafford Test. India can also rely on KL Rahul, who has previously kept wickets in international matches, including the World Cup and Champions Trophy.