IND Vs ENG: N. Jagadeesan Joins Team India, Takes Part In Training Session Ahead Of Crucial 5th Test At The Oval; Video

Indian cricketer N. Jagadeesan has joined Team India for his first-ever training session with the national Test team ahead of the fifth and final Test match against England, which begins on July 31 at The Oval in London.

Jagadeesan was called up to the squad after Rishabh Pant was ruled out of the series due to a foot injury. Pant got hurt during the previous Test match and will need several weeks to recover.

Jagadeesan, a 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman from Tamil Nadu, got the news while practicing in Coimbatore. He quickly got his visa, packed his bags, and flew to England. He joined the team in London and took part in his first training session with the Indian squad.

Although Dhruv Jurel is expected to be the main wicketkeeper in the match, Jagadeesan is now part of the team and ready to step in if needed.

This is a big moment for Jagadeesan, who has worked hard in domestic cricket for years. His call-up shows that Team India is looking to stay prepared and strong, especially with players getting injured late in the series.

IND Vs ENG: Why Did Gautam Gambhir Get Into A Heated Exchange With Oval Pitch Curator Lee Fortis? Indian Batting Coach Gives Clarification

Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has addressed the recent verbal spat between Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and The Oval's chief pitch curator, Lee Fortis, ahead of the fifth and final Test between India and England, set to begin Thursday. The exchange between Gambhir and Fortis sparked considerable attention, especially as tensions rise with the series on the line.

In a pre-match press conference, Kotak offered his perspective on the incident, saying, “When we were looking at the pitch. They had sent a man to send a message for us to stay 2.5 m away from the pitch. This was a little surprising. We were wearing joggers. It was quite awkward. We know curators are a little overprotective and possessive about the square and the ground. What he said about the head coach is his opinion, and I don't want to comment. There is nothing wrong with looking at a wicket wearing rubber spikes.”

The spat reportedly erupted during a routine inspection of the pitch area, with both parties seemingly disagreeing over proximity and protocol. Lee Fortis had earlier played down the incident, stating that he had never met Gambhir before that day and wasn’t concerned by the exchange. “It is quite a big game coming up. It is not my job to be happy with him or not,” Fortis remarked. “You saw what he was like this morning. It’s okay, I am fine. We have nothing to hide.”

The incident comes at a crucial juncture in the series. India managed to hold England to a draw in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, keeping their hopes alive. With England leading the five-match series 2-1, the final Test at The Oval presents India with a chance to level the contest.

While the verbal spat may not have any official consequences, it has added another layer of intrigue to a high-stakes showdown between two top cricketing sides.