Duleep Trophy | Enjoying the sport while staying in the present: Jagadeesan

Bengaluru: N Jagadeesan had numbers to stake a legitimate claim in the national team as a wicketkeeper-batter, but Rishabh Pant and and his second-in-command, Dhruv Jurel, had firmly entrenched their places in the squad with Ishan Kishan being the next in the pecking order. A national call-up, he might have thought, was a long shot. 

As the recent India-England Test series was was winding down, the Tamil Nadu player got a call late in July to pack his bags for the final Test after Pant fractured a right toe during the penultimate game in Manchester. That's how quickly, and in a quirky way, fortunes can change.  

Although the 29-year-old has been a consistent performer on the domestic circuit with 3373 runs in 52 first-class games at a healthy average of 47.50 (10 centuries and 14 half-centuries), he was fourth in the pecking order after KS Bharat failed to justify his place after less-than-modest returns in the seven Tests he appeared. 

However, with Ishan injured, Jagadeesan was summoned as a back up to Jurel. Though there was no chance of him a getting his debut, the call-up was an affirmation that his performance were being noticed and a confidence booster. And it was visible in the way Jagadeesan batted, stroking a superb 197 for South Zone in the Duleep Trophy semifinal against North Zone here on Friday. It was also evident in the way he spoke to the media following the second day’s play, completely assured of what’s he talking.

“I think I was batting for a very long time to get my 197. I faced almost 350 balls (352 actually). But in the end, the way I got out, it was a bit disappointing. But you know, it's just part and parcel of the game, so it's fine,” Jagadeesan said with a smile on his face despite being left stranded by his partner Ricky Bhui. 

When asked if the India call-up has altered his approach to the game as compared to the previous season, Jagadeesan said the goal is to continue enjoying the sport like he’s done always and not put extra pressure on himself. “You know, if I'm going to think about that, that's just added pressure to me because I'm here to just enjoy the sport and make sure that I enjoy each and every match that I get to play. I think I need to be grateful for the opportunity that I'm getting over here because there are a billion more people who want to play Duleep Trophy, play Ranji Trophy and, you know, be part of the Indian team. 

“I think more than anything, for me, personally, it's about enjoying the sport and also making sure that I stay in the present and not think about the future. I was very lucky to be there (in England). And I think I just have to take some confidence out of it and make sure that I can translate that while I go on to play.”

Jagadeesan said he was thrilled to be part of the Indian team but there was a conscious effort to be himself. “It was a really good experience to be there and to experience what was going on in the fifth Test, turning out to be a thriller as well. I think it's very important for me to not get overwhelmed as well, trying to copy someone because they've already been there. I've fought my way to go there. So I think it's very important for me to still believe in what I've done personally.”

Measured words from a confident cricketer hoping to make the most of the sudden reckoning.