N Jagadeesan has been named as Rishabh Pant's replacement for the fifth and final Test against England. Pant was ruled out of the match after fracturing his right foot during the fourth Test at Old Trafford. The injury occurred while attempting a reverse sweep.

Several factors contributed to Jagadeesan's selection. Firstly, India's squad has been plagued by injuries throughout the series. Besides Pant, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was ruled out with a knee injury, and pacers Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh sustained injuries before the fourth Test. This mounting injury list necessitated the inclusion of a backup wicketkeeper to provide cover for Dhruv Jurel, who has been keeping wickets in Pant's absence.

Jagadeesan's consistent performance in domestic cricket has also played a significant role in his selection. He has been a prolific run-scorer for Tamil Nadu in red-ball cricket, topping the run charts in consecutive Ranji Trophy seasons. In the 2023-24 season, he scored 816 runs at an average of 74.18, followed by 674 runs at 56.16 in the 2024-25 season. Overall, in his first-class career, Jagadeesan has amassed 3,373 runs in 79 innings at an average of 47.50, including 10 centuries and 14 half-centuries. His highest first-class score is 321, which he scored against Chandigarh in January 2024.

Moreover, Jagadeesan holds the record for the highest individual score in List A cricket, with 277 runs off 147 balls for Tamil Nadu against Arunachal Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2022. He also holds the record for being the first player to score centuries in five consecutive innings in men's List A cricket.

Prior to his Test call-up, Jagadeesan was part of the BCCI's targeted player pool. He recently participated in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), where he scored a 41-ball 81 earlier this month. He also led a Tamil Nadu Colts team on a tour of the UK last year.

While other contenders like Ishan Kishan and KS Bharat were considered, Jagadeesan's strong domestic record and recent form seemingly tilted the scales in his favor. Kishan, who is currently playing county cricket in England, was reportedly ruled out due to a knee injury. Bharat, despite having Test experience, has not been in consistent form.

Jagadeesan's coach has also highlighted his strong mental fortitude and level-headedness, qualities that may have further impressed the selectors.

In summary, N Jagadeesan's selection as Rishabh Pant's replacement is a result of Pant's unfortunate injury, India's depleted squad due to multiple injuries, Jagadeesan's consistent domestic performance, his record-breaking achievements in List A cricket, and his strong mental attributes. While Dhruv Jurel is expected to continue as the first-choice wicketkeeper, Jagadeesan will provide valuable backup and an opportunity to showcase his skills on the international stage.