Who is Narayan Jagadeesan? The wicketkeeper-batter replacing Rishabh Pant in India’s Test Squad News24 –
Who is Narayan Jagadeesan: With India set to take on the West Indies in a two-match Test series starting October 2 in Ahmedabad, the selectors have sprung a surprise by naming Narayan Jagadeesan in the squad as a wicketkeeper-batter. The Tamil Nadu cricketer replaces the injured Rishabh Pant, who continues his recovery after a long injury layoff. While Jagadeesan may not be a household name across India just yet, those who follow domestic cricket closely know he’s been knocking on the door for some time.
So, who exactly is Narayan Jagadeesan, and what makes him worthy of a Test call-up?
A Quiet Climber Through Domestic Ranks
Hailing from Tamil Nadu, Jagadeesan is a 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batter known for his calm demeanor and strong technique. He made his first-class debut in 2016 and has steadily risen through the domestic ranks over the last few seasons. While Rishabh Pant dazzles with flamboyance, Jagadeesan’s strength lies in consistency – something that selectors often prize in the longer format.
In first-class cricket, Jagadeesan has amassed 3,686 runs in 54 matches at an impressive average of 50.49, including 11 centuries and 16 fifties. His highest score of 321 underscores his ability to play long innings – a trait vital for success in Test cricket.
Record-Breaker in White-Ball Cricket
While he’s now being recognized for his red-ball performances, Jagadeesan made headlines globally in 2022 for a knock that shattered records.
On 21 November 2022, during a Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Arunachal Pradesh in Bengaluru, Jagadeesan smashed 277 off just 141 balls, breaking Rohit Sharma’s world record for the highest individual score in men’s List-A cricket. His innings featured 25 fours and 15 sixes at a staggering strike rate of 196.45, a feat that thrust him into the limelight overnight.
In total, he has 2,728 List-A runs from 64 matches at an average of 46.23, with nine centuries and nine fifties to his name.
A Versatile T20 Performer
Though not yet a mainstay in the IPL, Jagadeesan has featured for Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, playing 13 matches and scoring 162 runs. In domestic T20s, he’s been more consistent, with 1,475 runs in 66 games at an average of 31.38, including 10 half-centuries.
But it’s not just with the bat where he adds value. Jagadeesan is a dependable presence behind the stumps, having already completed 209 catches and 29 stumpings in domestic cricket – a testament to his all-around skillset.
Stellar Ranji Trophy 2024–25 Season
Jagadeesan’s Test call-up is not just about past records but also recent form. In the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy, he scored 674 runs in eight matches, averaging 56.16, with two centuries and five fifties. His consistency and temperament have caught the eyes of selectors, especially in the absence of Pant and the irregular availability of other contenders like Ishan Kishan.
What This Means for India
With Rishabh Pant still sidelined, India needed a reliable glove-man who could also contribute with the bat. Jagadeesan might not be as explosive as Pant, but his temperament, form, and versatility offer stability – something India will value in the upcoming series against the West Indies.
His inclusion may be a surprise to some, but for those who’ve tracked his journey, it’s a deserved reward for years of hard work in the domestic circuit.
Whether or not he makes his Test debut in this series, Narayan Jagadeesan’s time in the Indian dressing room will be a crucial opportunity – both for him and for a team in transition, seeking depth and balance in the post-Dhoni, post-Pant era.
India faces West Indies in the first Test on October 2 in Ahmedabad, followed by the second in Delhi on October 10. All eyes will be on Jagadeesan if he gets his chance to don the whites for India.