Who is Yash Vagadia Who Replaced Ben Stokes in ENG vs IND 2025?

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 field on Day 3 of the first Test at Headingley, Leeds. After the England captain briefly left the field, the Yorkshire player of Indian descent came on as a substitute fielder in the seventh over.

Viewers were initially perplexed to see a new, unfamiliar person wearing England colours on Day 3 of the ongoing first Test match between India and England at Headingley, Leeds. After Ben Stokes departed the field following the seventh over of India's second innings, Yash Vagadia, who was not included in England's official 14-man squad, entered the game as a substitute fielder.

Since making his Yorkshire debut in the 2024 One-Day Cup, Vagadia has progressively advanced through the ranks. He captained Yorkshire's U18 team after starting his cricket career at the U-14 level. He received the title of Yorkshire Academy Player of the Year in 2022, the same year he earned his first rookie professional deal. Other cricket players fielded in the Test without being in the official team besides Vagadia. Alongside him, Yorkshire natives Jawad Akhtar and Noah Kelly have been selected for 12th-man duties.

All you need to know about Yash Vagadia:

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. Vagadia was born in Northumberland.

Yash Vagadia, a young player with promise in England's domestic circuit, was born in Newcastle to Indian parents. After progressing from Under-14 to captain of the Academy and Under-18 teams, the right-handed hitter and occasional off-spinner now plays for Yorkshire County Cricket Club. He signed a rookie professional deal with Yorkshire in 2022 and attends Durham University to study biology and chemistry. Vagadia has yet to play in first-class cricket; however, he made his senior debut against Warwickshire in the 2024 Royal London One-Day Cup.

Vagadia was selected as one of the 12th man for the Headingley Test, an honour bestowed upon chosen Yorkshire players, even though he was not in England's playing team. Vagadia was selected to help with fielding responsibilities alongside teammates Jawad Akhtar and Noah Kelly in an effort to expose young players to the rigours and culture of international cricket.

Nor was it the first time. During the 2023 Ashes Test at Headingley, Vagadia was a member of England's support group, highlighting his rising prominence in domestic cricket.

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