Who are Jurel and Jagadeesan - India's Wicketkeeper Options for the 5th Test at The Oval

Udaipur, July 29, 2025: The fifth and final match of the five-Test series between India and England will be played at The Oval Cricket Ground in London from July 31 (Thursday). India is trailing 1-2 in the series. So, winning this match is very important for the Indian team. England will also like to keep the trophy themselves with a 3-1 score.

At least one change in India’s playing XI is certain. Wicketkeeper and vice-captain Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the match due to a leg injury. In his place, Tamil Nadu’s experienced wicketkeeper-batter Narayan Jagadeesan has been added to the Test squad. Dhruv Jurel is already a part of the squad, so now it will be interesting to see who gets a chance to play in the final Test.

Dhruv Jurel

Jurel has played four Test matches for India. In these matches, he scored 202 runs at an average of 40.40, with one half-century. Jurel made his Test debut in February 2024 against England in Rajkot. His last Test was against Australia in November 2024.

Jurel also kept wickets in the absence of Rishabh Pant during the Lord’s and Manchester Tests against England. In his Test career, he has taken 6 catches and done 2 stumpings.

Dhruv Jurel has also played 4 T20 International matches for India, in which he scored 12 runs. He has also taken 4 catches and made 1 stumping in T20Is. Jurel made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe in Harare in July last year. He plays domestic cricket for Uttar Pradesh.

In first-class cricket, Jurel has played 24 matches and scored 1,462 runs at an average of 48.73. He has scored 1 century and 12 half-centuries. As a wicketkeeper, he has taken 64 catches and done 6 stumpings.

In List-A cricket, Jurel has played only 10 matches, scoring 189 runs at an average of 47.25. He has scored 2 half-centuries and has taken 16 catches and made 2 stumpings.

In T20 cricket, Jurel has played 56 matches and scored 784 runs with 4 half-centuries at an average of 24.50. He has taken 32 catches and made 2 stumpings.

Narayan Jagadeesan: Consistent and Experienced

Narayan Jagadeesan plays domestic cricket for Tamil Nadu. He has been selected in the Indian Test team for the first time. The 29-year-old has scored 3,373 runs in 52 first-class matches at an average of 47.50, including 10 centuries and 14 half-centuries. He has also taken 133 catches and made 14 stumpings.

In List-A cricket, he has played 64 matches and scored 2,728 runs at an average of 46.23, with 9 centuries and 9 half-centuries. He has taken 49 catches and made 8 stumpings.

In T20s, Jagadeesan has played 66 matches and scored 1,475 runs with 10 half-centuries at an average of 31.38. He has taken 26 catches and made 7 stumpings.

It is clear that Jagadeesan has more experience than Jurel in first-class, List-A, and T20 cricket. He has played more matches in all formats. However, the one big point in Jurel’s favour is that he has played international cricket for India. Also, Jurel is used to English conditions, as he has been in England for a long time.

Indian Wicketkeeper in the Oval Test?

Dhruv Jurel came to England earlier with the India A team. He played both first-class matches against the England Lions and performed well. In the first match, he scored 94 and 53* runs. In the second match, he scored 52 and 28. This shows Jurel is in good form.

On the other hand, Jagadeesan recently played in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) and did well there too. So, both players are in good form.

Still, Jurel is more likely to play as the wicketkeeper in the Oval Test match. He has the experience of playing for India and is already adjusted to the conditions in England.