Jagadeesan Poised to Replace Injured Pant in Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Squad

N Jagadeesan is likely to be named as the replacement for Rishabh Pant, who has been sidelined for the remainder of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 due to injury. The Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batsman is widely expected to join the squad, with an official announcement anticipated soon.

Jagadeesan could come in for Pant. © BCCI/IPL

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), along with the national selectors and team management, have been searching for a suitable replacement for Pant, who suffered a fracture in his right toe during the first day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester.

The selection panel has reportedly settled on Jagadeesan, 29, who is expected to link up with the squad before the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Ishan Kishan was also considered, however the 27-year-old Jharkhand keeper is unavailable.

Jagadeesan's selection is largely attributed to his impressive domestic performances, especially in red-ball cricket. He boasts a record of 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 at an average of 56.16, featuring two centuries and five half-centuries. This was the highest run tally for his state in the competition. Among wicketkeepers, he ranked second in aggregate runs, only behind Vidarbha's Akshay Wadkar, who scored 722 runs in 10 matches at an average of 45.12.

Ideally, selectors would have considered the keeper from the A tour, but with limited options and Dhruv Jurel already in the senior squad, they expanded their search.

KS Bharat, currently playing for Dulwich CC in England, was another option. Despite having Test experience in England, he was not considered for selection.

Jurel is currently keeping wickets in the ongoing Old Trafford Test. KL Rahul is another option, having kept wickets in international matches, including the World Cup and Champions Trophy.