Indian cricket fans have taken to social media in large numbers, voicing their frustration over Abhimanyu Easwaran’s exclusion from India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming two-Test series against West Indies. Despite being part of recent India squads for tours of England and Australia, the Bengal opener will have to wait longer for his Test debut, prompting debates among fans and cricket analysts alike. The squad was officially announced on September 25 during a press conference in Dubai, where India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that Devdutt Padikkal had been preferred over Easwaran.
The decision sparked criticism online, with supporters arguing that Easwaran, who has consistently delivered in domestic cricket and remained in contention for three seasons, deserved a place. However, Agarkar clarified that the omission was purely tactical. With established openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal already in the squad, the management felt there was no immediate need for a third opener.
“Normally, when you travel, you carry 16 or 17 players and take a third opener. Here, if there is an injury, we can always fly someone in. We included an extra all-rounder in Axar Patel, who wasn’t part of the England tour. We could only pick 15,” Ajit Agarkar explained.
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He added, “KL and Yashasvi have been performing well, so there was no need for a third opener. If necessary, we can fly him in and include him for a Test match.”
Other notable absences from the squad included Karun Nair, dropped following a disappointing England tour; Shreyas Iyer, who requested a break from red-ball cricket due to ongoing injury concerns; and Sarfaraz Khan, also sidelined with injury.
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The West Indies series holds extra significance for India, marking their first home Test assignment of the season after a 3-0 defeat in New Zealand. It also represents the first home challenge for new Test captain Shubman Gill, who led India to an impressive 2-2 draw in England earlier this year. Fans and experts alike will be closely watching India’s lineup and strategies as they aim to build momentum at home.
The injustice against Abhimanyu Easwaran continues like Sarfraz Khan. No place in team against West Indies
If you are not selecting players on the basis of domestic then what’s the point of domestic leagues. pic.twitter.com/5Y8mE0RBHI
— Chai_Sutta (@Chai_SuttaGuy) September 25, 2025
Our parents were right-Cricket is all politics, focus on studies, it’ll actually take you somewhere.
Abhimanyu Easwaran scored 10k+ runs, did everything right. Still no debut.
This game doesn’t reward hard work-it rewards connections, camps & chamchagiri.
A harsh reality. 😔 pic.twitter.com/CopkaHpJZw
— soldiers village 🇮🇳 (@ChessMaster1902) September 25, 2025
Abhimanyu Easwaran man!! Indian team selects him under public’s pressure coz he scores tons of runs in domestic cricket but doesn’t give him 1 once to play.
Used to get treated badly during Virat’s era. Got similar treatment during Rohit’s era and now Gambhir did the same.… pic.twitter.com/omK5dnIhtZ
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) September 25, 2025
Abhimanyu Easwaran deserves a chance. pic.twitter.com/8QzDcfO4qB
— Team India (@FCteamINDIA) September 25, 2025
The injustice against Abhimanyu Easwaran continues.He’s not being rewarded for his good performances in domestic cricket. He was included in the squad for the BGT, but has now been dropped from the West Indies Test series.#INDvWI #AsiaCup #TeamIndiapic.twitter.com/1rPyuONWLW
— kuldeep singh (@kuldeep0745) September 25, 2025
🚨 Easwaran in 1st Class Cricket :-
Matches – 104
Runs – 7886
Avg – 48.7
Sr – 54.2
💯 – 27He has already done beyond what’s needed.@BCCI pls stop playing with him. 🙏
No point to pick him in OS tours, benching & dropping him in the next series. 🥀 🇮🇳pic.twitter.com/ChamgHttLC
— Pratyush Halder (@pratyush_no7) September 25, 2025
🔥 Abhimanyu Easwaran: Indian Cricket’s Biggest Scapegoat! 🔥
The Indian team keeps selecting him under public pressure because he scores tons in domestic cricket but never gets a single chance to play! 😡
He was mistreated under Virat’s era, then Rohit’s era, and now Gambhir… pic.twitter.com/xXxlyAgE6U— Sporttify (@sporttify) September 25, 2025
I saw many undeserving players getting chances but Abhimanyu Easwaran with these stats is just traveling with the team since 5 years without a single game. Then what’s the point of all this if BCCI & selectors keep ignoring him? High time he should retire & play for other country pic.twitter.com/bMWCJx8pRa
— Harsh 17 (@harsh03443) September 25, 2025
India squad for West Indies series:
Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja (VC), Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, N. Jagadeesan (WK), Mohammed. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav.
