Does IPL have a precedence over domestic cricket? Narayan Jagadeesan makes honest admission [Exclusive Interview]

Narayan Jagadeesan has been a workhorse in the Indian domestic cricket circle. The skilled cricketer, hailing from the state of Tamil Nadu, has shown resilience and longevity to excel on the international stage as well. The runs have certainly flown from his marauding blade in first-class and List-A cricket, and he has also been a part of the Indian dressing room for a few tours. However, the elusive India cap still remains an unfulfilled dream for the wicketkeeper-batter.

During a candid chat with CricTracker ahead of the Duleep Trophy semi-final between the South Zone and North Zone, Jagadeesan spilt the tea on what it takes to be a top performer in the domestic circuit and yet not get a fair chance to express himself for the Men in Blue.

Excerpts from the Interview

You hit a 47-ball century for India A ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. Have you received any communication from selectors after that knock?

I mean, I'm just grateful for the opportunity that I got, because the thing is, I am not expecting anything in return. The only thing that I can do is, do what's that in my control. And I was grateful that I was presented with a T20 opportunity, where I felt, the doors opened a bit more.

You've been one of the most consistent white-ball run-getters for years in domestic cricket. Do you feel Indian cricket only rewards players who perform well in the IPL?

I mean, I don't know how I can answer that. But, something what I feel is, it's a system and you need to give credit to everybody who's getting selected, to be honest, because there's a lot of people performing. It's not just me, there's a lot of people performing. And I think people who are doing really well in the domestic circuit are also getting recognized. For example, the way I was given opportunity in the T20 matches, although I was not there in the IPL. And for example, Saransh Jain making his debut.  And these are all really good things that's happening around.

You spent several years on the CSK books but barely got a game. Looking back, do you feel the franchise ever actually gave you a fair shot to prove that yourself?

Well, I mean, it would have been better if I had played a lot more than what I played in CSK. Because , I genuinely felt that when I made my debut, I had a good debut of 33 runs against RCB. And the next game, I was dropped. And then I was in and out. And the next season, I was dropped for the entire year. And again, I got a chance. So, I feel personally, a bit more backing would have been better, no doubt about it. But nevertheless, there was a lot of learnings.

After everything you have achieved in domestic cricket, what is the one thing you still feel you need to do to make the Indian selectors take notice?

I think it is, again, performing each season. It is just about consistency nowadays. Because, , truth be told, especially me being a wicket-keeper batter and especially, , nowadays, wicket-keepers need to bat as well. And, , batters need to put up the numbers. And looking at the competition in the domestic circuit, it is very important for batters to keep scoring runs consistently. 

It needs to be happening over and over again. It can't be one season and, , it can't be off the next season. So, it is about being more consistent in the years that are following. So, I think that is something which is very important. And personally, I would look to be more consistent. And, , and like I said, getting selected, not selected, that's not within my control. But what's within my control is to, control what I do in terms of process, in terms of preparation and in terms of a mindset that I want to have and, fighting each and every day to get better.

India has several wicketkeeper-batsmen competing for limited spots. Where do you think you stand in that race today?

I mean, I personally feel I do stand higher in the order because, , grateful for the fact that I am part of the India A side, the last tour which happened. And like you mentioned, I was there in the World Cup warm-up matches. And before that, I was there in the India-Australia, India A and South Africa also, I was there. But at the same time, it is also important to notice that, I was also part of the test team. So, definitely, if I was there in the test team, my ranking up the ladder is definitely high and it is just about putting up the numbers.