It is time for the first India vs England Test match in Headingley, and the cat is finally out of the bag. Sai Sudharsan gets to make his debut in the format, while Karun Nair marks a comeback after eight long years. But Abhimanyu Easwaran still did not make the playing XI. After the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, one would have thought that domestic veteran Easwaran would get preference, but that obviously did not happen.
Abhimanyu Easwaran Overlooked Again
Whether Sai was the correct choice or not, is a question for later, but not picking Abhimanyu Eawaran, is what needs to be discussed first. In 103 FC games, the Bengal lad has scored 7841 runs at an average of 48. In the IND A vs England Lions series, he went on to score twin fifties as well (68 and 80), and yet was overlooked.
If the selectors were looking for someone consistent over the years, then once again, Easwaran fits the bill. The 29-year-old made his FC debut in 2013. The very next year, he scored 423 runs in 6 matches at an average of 52. Next season, he scored 453 runs at an average of 50. 2016-17 brought him 498 runs, followed by 564 in the next year.
Staggering Numbers in Ranji Trophy
The run flow did not stop there. 2018/19 saw him score 861 runs at an average of 95, and then 413 runs post that in 21/22. In the next season, he managed 798 runs at an average of 66. Last year too he scored over 300 runs in two matches. So, where is the problem really?
One cannot definitely say this, but perhaps not being in the IPL makes a difference. Look at Sai Su — nothing against him, but his numbers in red-ball cricket aren’t as good, but did get the nod in the XI, and the contributing factor here could be him winning the orange cap in the latest IPL season.
Sai Sudharsan Gets in
Him having the experience with Surrey also played a part.. but what about the players who aren’t T20 wonders. Look at Sarfaraz Khan for that matter. He was on the Australia tour, did not get a single game, despite gigantic numbers in domestic cricket. Despite scoring 90-odd for India A, he still was not considered for England Tests.
Whether someone agrees to this ‘play the IPL and get into Team India’ or not, but from a distance it surely does look like that. Otherwise there is no reason to keep someone of the caliber of Abhimanyu Easwaran out of the team.
