Four Indian cricketers in the Test squad missed playing in any match throughout the series. Despite solid domestic performances and potential, they were overlooked as the team opted for other players in the playing XI, sparking discussions about selection choices and opportunities for deserving talents.
1. Abhimanyu Easwaran
Abhimanyu Easwaran has become a familiar name in the Indian Test squad over the past year, including being part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 in Australia. Despite consistent domestic performances and 103 First-Class matches with 7,841 runs, 27 centuries, and 31 half-centuries, he didn’t get a single game in the series. Instead, opportunities went to Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan, sparking questions among fans.
2. Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav, a key spinner expected to fill the gap left by Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement, surprisingly remained on the bench throughout the series. Known for his wrist-spin and ability to extract turn on different surfaces, Kuldeep boasts an impressive Test bowling average of 22.16 — the second-best among Indian bowlers in the current squad and the best among spinners. Yet, he was never selected in the playing XI.
3. Arshdeep Singh
After impressive performances in T20Is, Arshdeep Singh earned a spot in the Test squad for England but never got to play. Instead, India tried six pacers across the series, including Anshul Kamboj making his debut, while others like Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Shardul Thakur were given repeated chances despite inconsistent performances. Arshdeep, the only left-arm pacer in the squad and skilled at swinging the ball both ways, could have posed a challenge to England’s predominantly right-handed top order.
4. Narayan Jagadeesan
Added to the squad for the final Test after Rishabh Pant’s injury, Tamil Nadu wicket-keeper batter Narayan Jagadeesan left England without a game. With Dhruv Jurel already in the squad as the backup keeper and playing in the final Test, Jagadeesan didn’t get a chance. A versatile batter with 52 First-Class matches, 3,373 runs, and 10 centuries, Jagadeesan remains an asset for future opportunities.
