Mohammad Kaif, fans question “IPL favouritism” as Abhimanyu Easwaran gets left out of playing XI for first Test

Abhimanyu Easwaran’s wait to earn his maiden Check cap acquired extended as he wasn’t picked in India’s enjoying XI for the primary Check in opposition to England, which started on Friday, June 20. As a substitute, India opted handy a Check debut to the 23-year-old Sai Sudharsan, who lately completed as the best run-scorer within the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

Easwaran has been in and across the Indian setup for a number of years now. Nonetheless, he hasn’t been in a position to break into the enjoying XI as but. The Bengal batter was part of the Indian crew in the course of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar collection. Nonetheless, he did not get a recreation.

With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring from the longest format final month, many anticipated that Easwaran would refill one of many two spots. He was introduced because the captain of the India A aspect, which lately performed two unofficial Assessments in opposition to England Lions. The appropriate-handed batter scored two half-centuries, and each of them got here within the second innings.

Within the intra-squad recreation in Kent final week, Easwaran and Sudharsan reportedly scored 39 and 38, respectively. Nonetheless, it was the teenager who acquired the nod on Friday.

This hasn’t gone down properly with former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif in addition to a bit of followers, who’ve accused the Indian crew administration of “IPL favouritism”. Easwaran’s scores over the last home season learn as 127*, 191, 116, 19, 157*, 13, 4, 200*, 72, 65. In his first-class profession to date, the Bengal batter has amassed 7841 runs from 103 matches at a median of 48.70 with 27 centuries and 31 fifties. Sudharsan, then again, averages 39.93 after enjoying 29 red-ball video games.

Abhimanyu Easwaran deserved an opportunity in 1st match. Bcci is treating him like untouchable. Ipl cannot be standards for choice in checks.

05:33 PM · Jun 20, 2025

I really feel unhealthy for Abhimanyu Easwaran,he was not given an opportunity once more at present,earlier than him Sai Sudarshan was given an opportunity,whereas Easwaran is constantly performing higher than Sudarshan in home cricket. #INDvENG #INDvsENG #ENGvIND #ENGvsIND #TeamIndia

03:27 PM · Jun 20, 2025

It is only a social media stress that is why BCCI picked Abhimanyu Easwaran within the crew. He’s by no means going to get a recreation for india in close to future.He was benched in Australia and can countine to take action in different SENA nations.BCCI thinks he can solely survive in Indian pitches.

04:12 PM · Jun 20, 2025

💔 Really feel for Abhimanyu Easwaran — over 8000 runs in home cricket, 5 years touring with the squad, ready patiently. Nonetheless no Check debut. How lengthy should consistency await an opportunity? 🇮🇳 #INDvsENG #Cricket @BCCI @GautamGambhir

04:22 PM · Jun 20, 2025

He’s in India’s scheme of issues since greater than 5 years now and all the time somebody who from IPL comes into squad and performs forward of Abhimanyu Easwaran. Indian crew selects on foundation of IPL and that’s the actuality. Sai Sudarshan is a good participant and can have nice profession however

03:41 PM · Jun 20, 2025

Sudharsan departs for a duck in first innings

Sudharsan walked out to bat within the twenty fifth over after KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal added 91 runs for the opening wicket. The southpaw appeared a bit nervous in his quick keep on the crease, which was ended by Ben Stokes within the twenty sixth over.

The England captain bowled a supply down the leg-side, and Sudharsan needed to flick it away to get off the mark. Nonetheless, all he managed to get was a faint edge that was taken well by a diving Jamie Smith. It was nice planning from Stokes and England as they’d deployed a fielder at leg gully simply previous to the supply.

Sudharsan tried to flick the previous supply, which was just like the ball that ultimately dismissed him, however on that event, he failed to attach. The Tamil Nadu batter scored a duck off 4 balls. This turned out to be the final supply earlier than Lunch because the guests went into the break at 92/2, with Yashasvi Jaiswal batting on 42.

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