In a surprising turn of events, 21-year-old cricketer Yash Vagadia, who is not officially included in England’s team for the current Test series against India, took the pitch on Day 3 of the first Test at Headingley, Leeds. After the England captain briefly left the pitch, the Yorkshire player of Indian descent came on as a substitute fielder in the seventh over.
Since making his Yorkshire debut in the 2024 One-Day Cup, Yash Vagadia has progressively advanced through the ranks. He captained Yorkshire’s U18 team after starting his cricket career at the U-14 level. He earned his first professional rookie deal in 2022, the same year he won the Yorkshire Academy Player of the Year award. There are other cricket players who field in the Test without being in the official team besides Yash Vagadia. Alongside him, Yorkshire natives Jawad Akhtar and Noah Kelly have been selected for 12th-man duties.
Yash Vagadia, who is only 21 years old and was unofficially added to the squad because Sam Cook and Jacob Bethell are playing in the County Championship for their respective teams and were cut from England’s 14-man squad for the current first Test, is a true batting option for the county team who can also bowl a few if necessary.
Yash Vagadia was born in Northumberland.
India concluded Day 3 at 90 for 2 in their second innings, with Shubman Gill on 6 and KL Rahul undefeated at 47. The hosts hope to minimise the target on Day 4 when the Indians return at 90/2. After losing Sai Sudharsan (30) and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (4) early in the innings, the visitors now lead by 96 runs.
England had taken a slim six-run lead earlier in the day when they were knocked out for 465 in their opening innings. Despite six missed catches, Jasprit Bumrah was India’s most impressive bowler, taking five wickets. Ollie Pope struck a solid 106, and Harry Brook came within a hair of a century, dropping for 99. Chris Woakes’ 38-run knock with the lower-order batsmen further irritated the Indian spinners.
Yashasvi Jaiswal (101), Shubman Gill (147), and Rishabh Pant (134) all scored hundreds to help India reach a commanding 471 in the opening innings. But England bowlers Josh Tongue and Stokes responded, both taking four wickets to keep India from reaching the 500-run milestone.
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