Former India chief selector K Srikkanth opined that Abhimanu Easwaran was perhaps snubbe from India squad for IND vs WI Tests because of his father. The West Bengal batter, who is yet to make his Team India debut despite playing consistently for years, did not manage to find a place in the 15-member squad announced earlier this week. Easwaran’s father had earlier in July lashed out at the team management after the batter was made to warm the bench throughout the IND vs ENG Test series.
Why was Easwaran snubbed from IND vs WI squad?
In a video on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth wondered if Easwaran’s father’s strong worded statement was the reason behind the star not being considered for the IND vs WI Tests. The former Indian cricketer said that he felt bad for the Bengal batter. However Srikkanth said that he agreed with the logic provided by chief selector Ajit Agarkar on why Abhimanyu was left out.
“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. But Ajit Agarkar‘s reasoning on not needing a reserve opener at home was fair,” Srikanth said.
Ranganathan Easwaran had delivered a stinging rebuke to India’s selectors after his son was once again left out of the playing XI for the fifth Test against England. He had claimed that the IPL should not be used as a yardstick for selection in the Indian national team.
“I’m not keeping a count of the number of days that Abhimanyu has been waiting for his Test debut. I am counting the years; it has been three years now. What is the job of a player? It is to score runs. He has done that,” Ranganathan said.
“When you travel you take a third opener, here you get an extra spin option in Axar and only pick 15. KL & Jaiswal haven’t done too bad, if we need him we can fly him out,” Agarkar had said when asked on Abhimanyu Easwaran.
