'Not a surprise to me' - Narayan Jagadeesan reflects on warming the bench on India's tours [Exclusive Interview]

Wicketkeeper-batter Narayan Jagadeesan has been in and around the Indian squad for quite some time now, but he has been unlucky enough to not have made it to the final playing XI. With close to 4000 runs in First-Class cricket at an average touching 47, Jagadeesan has always knocked the selectors’ doors, but he has been finding it hard to make a mark on the international stage.

He has often been used as a wicketkeeping backup by the team management. During an exclusive chat with CricTracker, Jagadeesan spoke about his experiences of warming the bench, patiently waiting for his opportunity, seeking a taker in the Indian Premier League and how head coach Gautam Gambhir has been a big support to him ever since.

Excerpts from the interview

You got the maiden call-up, got the visa, and joined the Test squad at the Oval – and then watched Jurel keep the wickets instead. Did anyone explain that decision to you at the time?

"Well, to be honest, I think that decision was pretty straightforward, right? Because I went in as a replacement for Rishabh Pant. And Jurel was already there in the squad as a backup wicketkeeper. So, I think it is only fair if he had played that game, to be honest.

"Obviously, I would have been very happy if I had played the game. But Jurel was already there with the test team. When Rishabh Pant got injured, it was Jurel up the ladder. And then came me. So, it was not a surprise to me. But I was very keen, and I was just trying to be in the present and soak in the feelings. And it was a very special moment."

Three straight IPL auctions, no bids. Is that a signal from the league that you need to change something about your game?

"Definitely, I think. Well, it is very important for me to change my game as well in terms of the way I approach the game. Not in terms of my technical ability. In terms of the mindset that I have. Because, you know, nowadays in T20 cricket, we see that there is a lot of sixes being hit.

"And we see a lot of aggressive intent right from ball one. And that was something which I personally felt was lacking a year or two back. And I have definitely worked a lot with Robin Uthappa. And he has been with me. He has mentored me for the past almost three years. And I have changed a lot in my game. And I feel I am a lot more secured as a T20 cricketer now."

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Gautam Gambhir was the head coach during your Test call-up. Did he give you any personal advice or guidance during that time?

"I think he was of big support to me, to be honest. Because he was asking me. He was actually the first one who greeted me when I saw the Indian team come. We were actually on our way to the consulate. And it was GG sir who actually met me first. And he spoke to me. And he was asking me about my league season and stuff. And he definitely did support me.

"He was very intrigued to know how it was for me personally with KKR team and so many other things. And he was asking me about my batting and stuff. So, definitely, it was a lot of support. In terms of just the way he spoke to me, it gave me a lot of security."