Abhimanyu Easwaran, a familiar name in India's red-ball setup over the past two years as a standby or reserve opener, has been dropped from the Test squad for the upcoming home series against the West Indies. Despite being a consistent performer for Bengal in domestic cricket, Easwaran is yet to make his Test debut a milestone that remains out of reach under the current regime led by head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Easwaran was widely expected to get his long-awaited chance during the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. However, team balance and selection dynamics meant he never made it to the playing XI. While his Ranji Trophy record has been strong, his performances for India A have failed to make a lasting impression on the new coaching staff.
Agarkar Clarifies Easwaran’s Omission
His omission from the 16-member squad didn’t come as a surprise to many. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the decision, saying:
“On Abhimanyu, we don't need a third opener at home,” Agarkar explained, making it clear that the team sees no immediate need for a backup opener in home conditions.
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Father’s Comments May Have Impacted Easwaran’s Selection: Srikkanth
However, former India captain and chief selector Kris Srikkanth offered a different perspective. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth hinted that off-field issues may have influenced the decision, particularly comments made by Easwaran’s father.
“I feel bad for Abhimanyu Easwaran. I think his father made some strong statements (after England), and maybe that's why they've dropped him now,” Srikkanth said.
During the England tour earlier this year, Abhimanyu’s father, Ranganathan Easwaran, publicly criticized the team management for consistently keeping his son on the bench despite strong domestic performances. He also alleged that IPL performances were being prioritized over red-ball consistency when it came to Test selection.
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Srikkanth acknowledged that while Ajit Agarkar’s explanation was fair and logical in terms of team composition, such public comments from family members can create unnecessary noise around a player’s selection.
“But Ajit Agarkar's reasoning on not needing a reserve opener at home was fair,” he concluded.
The first match of the two-Test series between India and West Indies begins in Ahmedabad on October 2.
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