Former India opener and now expert turned commentator, Wasim Jaffer has outrightly questioned the absence of Bengal captain Abhimanyu Easwaran from the squad for the two-match away Test series against Sri Lanka. The series is scheduled to begin on August 15, with Galle set to host the opening clash.
On July 28, India announced their 15-member squad for the series, with the 30-year-old missing out. For the record, the right-hander Easwaran first earned a call-up during India’s 2021 tour of England and has since been part of several squads, including those for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the 2025 England tour. But he was not selected in the XI and did not make his debut.
Wasim Jaffer on the treatment meted out to Abhimanyu Easwaran
Speaking during a discussion of his YouTube channel Wasim Jaffer Official, the 48-year-old stated that Easwaran deserved an opportunity and added that if the selectors feel he is not suited to international cricket, it is unfortunate. He said, “The same goes for Abhimanyu Easwaran. He was on the England tour and the Australia tour. Maybe the selectors feel he isn’t suited to international cricket. If that’s their perception, it’s unfortunate. Even then, he deserves an opportunity. If someone has scored more than 8,000 first-class runs, he obviously has quality.”
Jaffer further highlighted the opener’s impressive first-class record, with Easwaran scoring 8,381 runs in 113 matches at an average of 47.61, including 36 half-centuries and 27 hundreds, yet, still having not played a single Test match. He pointed out the continued absence of Mohammed Shami.
He said, “Someone who has scored over 8,000 first-class runs hasn’t even got the opportunity to play a single Test match. Mohammed Shami is another name that comes to mind.”Â
For the record, Shami last played Test cricket in 2023 and has claimed 229 wickets in 64 matches overall, including six five-wicket hauls.
Wasim Jaffer Advocates Abhimanyu Easwaran’s place in the side
In the same discussion, Wasim Jaffer asserted that Abhimanyu Easwaran deserves a place in the side and should be given an opportunity to prove himself. He added that if the opener fails after getting his chance, leaving him out would be fair, but dropping him without giving him an opportunity is unfair.
Wasim Jaffer asserted, “He has scored consistently in first-class cricket, performed in India, and also scored runs against international-quality bowlers. So give him a few opportunities. Let him bat in two or four innings. If he fails after that, then that’s absolutely fair. Even he will accept that he got his chance but couldn’t make the most of it. But dropping someone without ever giving him an opportunity is, in my opinion, very unfair.”Â
The opener will next be in action in the 2026-27 Duleep Trophy, which begins on August 23, where he will represent East Zone. Ishan Kishan will captain that side while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will be the vice-captain. Abhimanyu Easwaran’s case is very unfortunate to say the least. He should have got an opportunity in the Indian team by now but power dynamics plays a huge part and so does politics as well and so, he has had to warm the bench and then be out of the side now.
One hopes he continues to persevere and score tons and tons of runs to be back in the side in domestic cricket. That is his only choice and hope at this stage. He cannot hope for more. He has to control things that are under his control. Things that are under his control, he can work on it. Selection to the national side is something that he can’t control and will hope for the best at this stage. Let’s hope Easwaran gets back into the side sooner rather than later.
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