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Krishnamachari Srikkanth discusses Abhimanyu Easwaran’s Test team omission, citing his father’s comments and Ajit Agarkar’s selection reasoning.
Former Indian cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth has said that a few strong statements from Abhimanyu Easwaran’s father probably didn’t sit well with the Indian team management and the selectors and hence, he has been removed from the Test squad.
Easwaran’s brilliant domestic form bagged him a regular spot in the team, as India navigate a transition in their Test batting lineup.
Srikkanth suggested that Easwaran’s omission had less to do with his performances and more with external factors, pointing out that his father’s sharp remarks over his non-selection in England may have ruffled feathers within the committee.
“I feel bad for Abhimanyu Easwaran. I think his father made some strong statements (after England) and maybe that is why they have dropped him now,” Srikkanth said while speaking on his YouTube channel.
In a string of interviews after India’s 2-2 series draw in England, Easwaran’s father, Ranganathan, criticised the selectors and coach Gambhir for their handling of his son. He claimed that the latter had assured the former a long run but instead favoured cricketers with weaker domestic records who, in his view, were fast-tracked on the back of Indian Premier League performances.
However, Srikkanth acknowledged that Agarkar’s explanation for Easwaran’s exclusion from the team was quite valid.
“But Ajit Agarkar’s reasoning on not needing a reserve opener at home was fair,” Srikkanth said.
While announcing the 15-member team at the Indian team hotel in Dubai, Agarkar dropped elaborate hints that Karun Nair and Easwaran are no longer in the scheme of things.
Easwaran, a frequent traveller with the team for the last three to four years but never a member of the playing XI, now finds himself out of the picture.
Agarkar requested people not to read too much into it, although with no foreign tours for the next year, Easwaran’s Test debut looks unlikely, with N Jagadeesan being looked at as a potential third opener.
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