“He should be Indian Test Team” Ex India Cricketer Slams Team Management for Not Picking this Star Batter

It’s difficult in India, when you have several people who are actively involved in one sport wants to pursue this sport professionally. 

There are some of the choices taken which doesn’t make any sense especially looking at sad state of affairs, in Cricketing affair, especially in Test format some of the players who are doing well should get opportunity to don India’s Jersey. 

Recently Ravichandran Ashwin(Ex India) Cricketers highlighted this problem when it comes to selecting players in Test format where their domestic performance is not seen in consideration. 

 

 

Ashwin spoke on his Youtube channel where he said someone like Abhimanyu Easwaran who did so well in recently concluded Syed Mustaq Ali Trophy along with that he is piling runs across distinct tournament at domestic level raises some serious questions when it comes to selecting players irrespective of how well they played in the marquee event. 

All the performers who are doing well in the domestic event will get an opportunity. 

 

R Ashwin Perspective in More Detail 

 

For years, Indian cricket fans and experts have spoken about Abhimanyu Easwaran as a ready-made red-ball cricketer—someone who has consistently delivered in domestic cricket but has somehow remained on the fringes of the national setup. Despite multiple call-ups to the Test squad, Easwaran has been forced to wait patiently, carrying bags for India but never receiving the coveted Test cap.

Now, the narrative around him seems to be shifting, and many believe his moment may finally be around the corner. Among those voicing strong support is veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently expressed excitement over Easwaran’s evolving game, particularly after his breakthrough performance in the shortest format.

Ashwin did not hold back while speaking about the Bengal opener. “I’m excited about another person,” he said. “The Test incumbent player who has always been spoken about—Abhimanyu Easwaran. He even scored a hundred in T20 now. With the way he is performing, we will definitely get to see him in the Test team soon.”

Ashwin’s words reflect a growing sentiment within the cricketing circle: Easwaran has knocked hard on the door for years through red-ball consistency, but now he is smashing it with performances across formats.

A Red-Ball Stalwart With Numbers Too Big to Ignore

Easwaran’s first-class career paints the picture of a seasoned Test-quality batter. Over 109 first-class matches, he has accumulated 8136 runs at an impressive 47.85 average.

What makes these statistics more compelling is the volume and consistency. Scoring over 8000 runs in India’s competitive domestic system is no small achievement. It reflects years of technical refinement, patience, temperament, and the ability to produce runs in different conditions .

Despite these performances, Easwaran has lived in the shadows—selected in squads, travelling with teams. He has been the perennial standby option, the dependable reserve who never seemed to get the nod on match day.

This prolonged wait has often triggered debates: What more must a domestic giant do to earn a debut?

T20 Reinvention: A Format That Was Never His Priority

While Easwaran has long been established as a top-tier first-class batter, his performances in T20 cricket have quietly developed into one of his strongest endorsements for selection—especially in the current selection environment.

Across domestic T20 cricket, Easwaran has scored 1156 runs, averaging 41.28 at a strike rate of 132.26. These numbers reflect not just competence, but also adaptability—an ability to switch gears and thrive in a high-tempo format not originally associated with his style.

This season, in the SMAT 2025, he has taken that evolution a step further. Easwaran averages a staggering 90.00 while striking at 156.52. From his three matches this season, he has amassed 180 runs, highlighted by a magnificent innings against Punjab. Although his other two outings were less dramatic, the overall impact has been massive.

His T20 hundred sent a strong message:
Easwaran is no longer just a red-ball specialist—he is a complete, adaptable batter in tune with modern demands.

A Changing Talent Pipeline: T20 Becoming the Gateway

In recent years, the Indian Premier League has transformed into a talent feeder not just for white-ball cricket, but surprisingly, for Test cricket too. Many emerging stars who performed in the IPL—most notably Sai Sudharsan and Nitish Kumar Reddy—have transitioned into multi-format players, earning national opportunities based on their explosive T20 performances.

This evolution has altered the selection lens. Even for red-ball roles, T20 performances now carry disproportionate influence, sometimes overshadowing stellar first-class credentials.

Ashwin subtly addressed this shift when he poked fun at the current selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar. He hinted that selectors often seem more impressed by flashy T20 numbers than by years of red-ball excellence.

His statement, though tongue-in-cheek, raised a pertinent question:
Has Indian cricket begun valuing T20 success over traditional domestic achievements for Test spots?

Easwaran, unfortunately, has been one of the victims of this modern selection culture. Despite years of quiet, grinding consistency in the Ranji Trophy and for India A, the national call never arrived. It is only now—after he began scoring heavily in T20s—that people are loudly advocating for him again.

Easwaran’s Case: Hard Work Meeting Perfect Timing

Easwaran’s resurgence in the T20 format may finally provide the push the selectors needed to look his way seriously. In the current cricketing ecosystem, versatility is seen as value. A batter who can perform across formats signals maturity, adaptability, and mental flexibility—attributes selectors openly seek in modern players.

Easwaran is no longer just a dependable first-class run-getter.
He is now a proven all-format batter who:

Has bulk red-ball runs

Can dominate in T20 cricket

Has shown temperament under pressure

Has the technique suited for long innings

Understands modern strike-rate demands

Has remained consistent across seasons

This is a rare combination—and one India cannot afford to overlook.

The Bigger Issue: A Talent Too Good to Sit Out

India has a long history of players waiting for their moment, but Easwaran’s wait feels unusually long. With over a decade in domestic cricket, innumerable runs, and a reputation for being disciplined, humble, and hardworking, he represents everything the Test team ideally wants in an opener.

Ashwin’s endorsement only amplifies the sentiment. When one of India’s greatest bowlers of all time speaks openly about a batter deserving his place, it reflects the respect Easwaran commands among his peers.

His T20 heroics are not just runs on the board—they symbolize his hunger to break through barriers that have held him back.

A Debut That Feels Inevitable

For the first time in years, there is renewed energy around Easwaran’s Test prospects. His performances across formats, particularly in SMAT 2025, have forced the conversation in his favour.

He has waited, worked, rebuilt, reinvented, and stayed committed. Now, the combination of red-ball mastery and white-ball explosiveness makes it nearly impossible for the selectors to ignore him any longer.

Indian cricket may soon witness a long-deserved moment:

 

Vertical Tabular Format: Abhimanyu Easwaran × Ashwin’s Perspective