Why Abhimanyu Easwaran was dropped from India's Test squad?

After spending a couple of years travelling with the Indian Test side as the backup opener, Bengal’s seasoned batter Abhimanyu Easwaran has been left out of India’s squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies. Still waiting for his Test debut, Easwaran will now have to bide his time longer, as his name was missing from the 16-member squad announced for October.

It was his consistent domestic form that initially earned Easwaran a regular place in the squad, particularly at a time when India’s Test batting is in a phase of transition. But his mixed returns in A matches and tour games in England and Australia over the past year meant he failed to fully convince Gautam Gambhir and the selectors, unable to secure a spot ahead of India’s packed pool of batting talent.

Former India opener Kris Srikkanth, however, suggested Easwaran’s omission had more to do with external factors than his individual performance. He pointed to strong remarks made by Easwaran’s father, Ranganathan, which may not have gone down well with the selection committee. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said, “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.”

Following India’s 2-2 draw in England, Ranganathan had openly criticised the team management and coach Gambhir in a series of interviews. He argued that Gambhir had assured his son of a fair run but instead preferred players with weaker domestic records who had been fast-tracked after IPL success. His outspoken comments may, according to Srikkanth, have ended up working against Easwaran.

Even so, Srikkanth acknowledged that Ajit Agarkar’s explanation for leaving Easwaran out was reasonable. With multiple opening options already available in the squad, there was little justification for including an additional backup. “Agarkar’s reasoning on not needing a reserve opener at home was fair,” Srikkanth concluded.