The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee has announced Narayan Jagadeesan as Rishabh Pant’s replacement for the fifth and final Test against England. Pant sustained a toe fracture during the first innings of the fourth Test in Manchester, and Dhruv Jurel is currently serving as a keeper for the visitors. As a result, the left-hander will not be available for the final fixture, and Jagadeesan has got his maiden Indian call-up.
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Ishan Kishan’s Untimely Injury Put Him Out of Contention
The frontrunner to replace Rishabh Pant in Test squad was Ishan Kishan, who has played two Tests, with the last appearance coming in 2023. Several news agencies and journalists reported that the BCCI has contacted Kishan regarding his inclusion in the Indian squad for the final Test.
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However, a source confirmed to TOI that the selectors did reach out to Ishan Kishan, but he could not hop on a flight due to his ankle injury. The left-hander reportedly had stitches on his left foot after he fell from a scooter. Although the stitches were removed, he still had plasters on his ankle, which made him unavailable. Moreover, the turnaround time is less for the final Test, as it is set to start on July 31 at The Oval. So, Kishan had to be fully fit to pursue the opportunity and join the Indian Test squad.
Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan is injured. As he had fallen few days ago and has stitches in his leg. So selectors will now have to look for another option.
— Devendra Pandey (@pdevendra) July 24, 2025
The primary reason behind the selectors initially opting for Ishan Kishan was due to his recent County Championship stint with Nottinghamshire. He returned with knocks of 87 and 77 and displayed his ability to score runs on English soil.
Why BCCI Choose Narayan Jagadeesan?
The decision by the selectors to make Narayan Jagadeesan replace Rishabh Pant in Test squad comes as a surprise. Because he is currently not in the scheme of things and was not part of the India A squad for a two-match affair against England Lions either.
🚨 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗱 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 🚨
Rishabh Pant ruled out of fifth Test due to injury; N Jagadeesan named replacement.
All The Details 🔽 #TeamIndia | #ENGvIND
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 27, 2025
Other potential candidates apart from Ishan Kishan included KS Bharat, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devdutt Padikkal. Although Bharat is in England, playing for Dulwich CC in the Surrey Championship, he was not considered. Meanwhile, Gaikwad opted out of his Yorkshire stint due to personal reasons, while there are concerns regarding Padikkal’s recovery from injury. Being a keeper as well, Narayan Jagadeesan perfectly fits the bill for the Indian Test team, as they look to replace Rishabh Pant in Test series.
Jagadeesan has been one of the consistent run-scorers for Tamil Nadu in the recent domestic seasons. Since making his first-class debut in 2016, he has garnered 3,373 runs at a prolific average of 47.50, with 10 centuries and 14 fifties. Jagadeesan smashed 816 runs in eight games of the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season at a sensational average of 74.18 and was Tamil Nadu’s best batter. He registered his best knock of 321 against Chandigarh and helped the side to win by an innings and 293 runs.
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Narayan Jagadeesan again topped the batting charts for the state in the 2024-25 season. He amassed 674 runs in eight Tests at an average of 56.16, with two centuries. As a result, Jagadeesan was named in the India B squad for the Duleep Trophy 2024-25. In three innings, the right-hander scored 88 runs at an average of 29.33, with a top knock of 70. Narayan Jagadeesan’s standout performances in the domestic circuit have finally reaped him rewards. Moreover, he brings his ability to contribute at any batting position, thus helping the side to negotiate opposition bowlers at any juncture of the game.
Pant’s Absence Hurts India’s Chances in the 5th Test
Rishabh Pant’s battle with injuries continued in the Manchester Test as well. It is worth noting that Pant had sustained a finger injury during the Lord’s Test as well, resulting in Dhruv Jurel serving as the glovesman for the Indian team.
Related Article：Ouch! Rishabh Pant Retired Hurt Moments After 1000 Runs in England
Here comes Rishabh Pant…
A classy reception from the Emirates Old Trafford crowd 👏 pic.twitter.com/vBwSuKdFcW
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 24, 2025
On this occasion, Pant tried to reverse-sweep Chris Woakes’ fuller delivery, but his inside-edge could only hit his toe. He immediately grimaced in pain, and the swelling and bleeding were visible through the cameras. The 27-year-old was then carted off the field. Although Pant returned later in the game and scored a fifty, he will not take further part in the series.
🙌#RP17 pic.twitter.com/LlAZ7lJKDm
— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) July 28, 2025
Pant started off the England series by etching his name into the history books, returning with knocks of 134 & 118. He became the first Indian to score twin centuries on English soil. He then played a crucial part in India’s victory at Edgbaston, with a 65-run knock in the second innings. Pant’s unconventional striking and ability to take down the bowlers were yielding positive results for the visitors. He had gradually become a glue to India’s batting order, displaying his ability to defend and attack well as per the situation.
Conclusion
With him being absent for the final Test, India will have to find consistent contributions from their top-order batters. When in form, he oozed confidence, especially during the first two Tests. The visitors might consider playing Dhruv Jurel ahead of Narayan Jagadeesan for the final Test. Similarly, the Indian batters will need to come out of their shell and opt for a positive brand of cricket, irrespective of whether India have something to play for in the final Test.
