IPL 2017: Tamil Nadu's N Jagadeesan in line to replace injured KL Rahul in the RCB squad

What’s the story?

With wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul ruled out of the 2017 IPL due to a shoulder injury, the Royal Challengers Bangalore management is looking for a replacement for the Indian international. It has been revealed that Tamil Nadu’s wicketkeeper-batsman N Jagadeesan has been already called for a trial by the franchise.

Jagadeesan confirmed the development in an exclusive chat to Sportskeeda and revealed the details of the trial: “I got a call from RCB to give a trial on April 2^nd, but I have no idea on how many players will take part in the trial. It would be great if I could make it to the squad, but at the moment, I have no expectations going into the trials,” said the Tamil Nadu batsman.

In case you didn’t know...

Earlier today, it was revealed that Indian opener KL Rahul will miss the tenth edition of the tournament due to a shoulder injury which he sustained in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar trophy.

The Karnataka batsman will travel to London to undergo a surgery in a bid to be 100% fit for the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy that begins in June.

Extra cover: KL Rahul ruled out of IPL 2017 with shoulder injury

The details

In the absence of KL Rahul, RCB is looking for a batsman who is capable of donning the wicketkeeping gloves. Tamil Nadu’s N Jagadeesan will fit the bill perfectly as he is a very good top-order batsman, who keeps wickets for his side.

Though he played as a specialist batsman for Tamil Nadu in the 2017 Deodhar Trophy, Jagadeesan scored three fifties in three matches and was the third highest run-scorer in the tournament after Dinesh Karthik and Shikhar Dhawan. He piled up 190 runs in the tournament at an average of 63.33 and a strike-rate of 95. He is also one of the main reasons why Tamil Nadu won the tournament.

Extra cover: R Ashwin helped me a lot while batting: TNPL player of the tournament, N Jagadeesan

After ending the 2016 Tamil Nadu Premier League as the leading run scorer and the Player of the Tournament, there was no turning back for the right-hander as he scored a century for TN on his first-class debut and ended the season with the Deodhar trophy.

Watch: Here is one of Jagadeesan’s gem from the 2016 TNPL

What’s next?

The 21-year-old batsman will undergo a trial for RCB on Sunday (April 2) and if things go well, he could be named as a replacement for KL Rahul. The tenth edition of the IPL commences on April 5^th.

Author’s Take

Having seen Jagadeesan from close quarters since his debut for Grandslam CC (the author’s favourite team in the TNCA first division league), he is someone who is tailor-made for this format.

Given that RCB does not have a specialist wicketkeeper in their squad, it won't be a surprise if Jagadeesan is named as the replacement for Rahul. In all likelihood, Jagadeesan will play all the matches for RCB in the IPL if he is picked and is the front-runner to open the batting with Chris Gayle in the absence of skipper Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.

Extra cover: AB de Villiers likely to lead RCB in Virat Kohli's absence