Former India Selector Slams Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal After India A Flop Show

Former India selector Devang Gandhi has criticised Abhimanyu Easwaran and Devdutt Padikkal, calling out the Test back-ups for failing to make the most of their repeated chances with India A. While Easwaran is yet to debut for India, Padikkal has played two Tests, with his last appearance coming in November 2024.

Padikkal, who has featured in four red-ball matches for India A over the past two months - two each against Australia A and South Africa A - started strong with a 150 in the opening fixture vs Australia A. However, his form nosedived soon after, managing only 1, 5, 6, 5, 5, and 24 in his next six innings. Easwaran, on the other hand, played two of those games, scoring 44, 0, and 0, further denting his case as a reliable backup opener.

In the recently concluded two-match series against South Africa A, which ended 1-1, Dhruv Jurel (259 runs in two innings without being dismissed) and Rishabh Pant (196 runs at 49) were the only India A batters to make notable contributions ahead of the senior team’s upcoming two-Test series against South Africa, beginning November 14 in Kolkata.

Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan, who has been India’s No. 3 in Tests, also struggled. The Tamil Nadu batter managed just 84 runs in four innings at an average of 21. Gandhi, speaking to the Times of India, emphasised the need for patience with Sudharsan but warned of the worrying lack of depth in India’s Test batting pool.

“As of now, they should give Sudharsan a longer run because he is young. But all the selectors need to spread out and cover as many domestic games as possible. It’s clear that there is a dry pool of backup batters in the Test format. Sudharsan hasn’t cemented his place,” Gandhi said.

“Padikkal isn’t getting runs even for India ‘A’. Jurel has made a strong case, but there doesn’t seem to be a definite plan regarding his role. And there is no backup opener with Abhimanyu Easwaran inspiring little confidence. This domestic season and the one next year will be hard work for the selectors.”

Echoing Gandhi’s concerns, former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta backed Jurel as a technically sound candidate for the crucial No. 3 spot, but cautioned against overburdening him.

“At this moment, Jurel looks to have the best technique to bat at No. 3. But the team management has to be clear with its vision because No. 3 will be a big call,” Dasgupta told TOI.

“If Jurel is only seen as a wicketkeeping backup for Pant, then it will be a problem in the long run. It’s tough for a wicketkeeper to consistently keep wickets and bat at No. 3 in Tests. Or else, he can come in for Reddy at No. 7, even though it’s very low for a proper batter to come in.”