Ishan Kishan was set to captain the East Zone in the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2025. But the India wicketkeeper batter has not recovered from the injury he sustained during his stint with Nottinghamshire. According to reports, Abhimanyu Easwaran is set to lead the East Zone in absence of Kishan as the latter is also left out of the squad. It is worth noting that Easwaran travelled with the Indian team to England but did not play a single game.

The Bengals batter is a renowned name in the domestic circuit and has scored ample run in the domestic season after season. But the India debut is still not conquered yet and he would like to grab this opportunity and showcase his leadership acumen. India will be playing West Indies and South Africa at home, this provides a great opportunity for Easwaran to solidify his spot in the playing XI.

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REVISED EAST ZONE SQUAD

Abhimanyu Easwaran (c), Riyan Parag (vc), Sandeep Patnaik, Virat Singh, Denish Das, Sridam Paul, Sharandeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Aasirwad Swain (wk), Utkarsh Singh, Manishi, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar, Mukhtar Hussain and Mohammed Shami.

It is also worth noting that, other than Kishan, several star players will grace the Duleep Trophy such as Mohammed Shami, Riyan Parag, Mukesh Kumar and Easwaran. Though Koshan has been ruled out of first game, it would be interesting to see if he makes a comeback.

India had an impressive run in the recently concluded five-match Test series against England, finishing with a 2-2 draw under Shubman Gill’s leadership, despite missing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. While the batting unit performed consistently across the series, former India captain Sourav Ganguly pointed out that the No.3 position appeared slightly vulnerable. He expressed support for young batter Abhimanyu Easwaran to fill that role, following ongoing discussions about his prolonged absence from the playing XI despite being part of the squad in previous tours.

Easwaran has travelled with the Indian team to Australia and England but is yet to make his Test debut. Throughout the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, India opted for Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair in the No.3 slot, leaving Easwaran on the bench. Ganguly remains confident that the Bengal cricketer will eventually find a place in the playing XI. With an impressive domestic record of 103 Ranji Trophy matches, Easwaran has scored 7841 runs at an average of 48.7, including 27 centuries, proving his readiness for the big stage.

See Also: Know why Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are unlikely to get selected for India in Asia Cup 2025

“He has age on his side. I still believe he will get his chance. I feel batters like Yashasvi, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja have all got runs. It’s only the No.3 slot that looked a bit fragile. Maybe Easwaran will be tried there,” Ganguly told to The Times of India.

Gautam Gambhir assured my son: Easwaran’s father

Sai Sudharsan, who was preferred over Abhimanyu Easwaran, scored just 140 runs in six innings at No.3, averaging 23.33 and recording two ducks. Meanwhile, Karun Nair, returning to Test cricket after eight years, managed 205 runs from eight innings at an average of 25.62. Easwaran’s father recently disclosed that India head coach Gautam Gambhir has assured his son a fair opportunity when his turn arrives. In the second unofficial Test against the England Lions, Easwaran batted at No.3, scoring 11 and 80, but is still waiting for his maiden India cap.

Easwaran will captain the East Zone in the 2025 Duleep Trophy, a tournament that could further strengthen his claim for a national call-up. India’s upcoming home Test season features series against the West Indies and South Africa, where the No.3 position may again come under scrutiny. With Sudharsan and Nair’s recent struggles, it remains to be seen if the selectors finally give Easwaran his long-awaited opportunity to prove himself at the highest level.

Abhimanyu Easwaran could have made his international debut long ago, even before Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, and many others. But the reality is, he is yet to receive the opportunity to perform for India's main team. In a recent conversation, Easwaran's father revealed what Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of Team India, has said about his son's possibilities in Team India.

According to Easwaran's father, Gambhir assured him that the team management considers him as a long-term prospect, not as a temporary solution. The board and the management are pleased with what he has done so far in the field.

"Gautam Gambhir told Abhimanyu, 'You're doing the right things. You'll get your turn and a long run. I'm not the one to push you out after 1-2 matches. "The entire coaching team assured him he'll get his due," Abhimanyu Easwaran's father claimed during a YouTube channel podcast.

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Abhimanyu Easwaran scored multiple promising knocks in recent time

Before the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, BCCI sent the India 'A' team to the UK for preparations. Abhimanyu was there and played two matches against the England Lions. In those two matches and 4 innings, he scored two half-centuries. After the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, India suddenly entered into a transition phase and got plenty of room for experiments. In the process, players like Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair made their strides into the playing combination, but Abhimanyu's luck that time too was not with him. He did not pick for the main team and was sidelined.

In 2024, the batter played multiple brilliant innings to showcase his talent, skills, techniques, and temperament—elements a cricketer needs to play a Test match. His stint with India 'B' and the Rest of India was also brilliant, scoring three centuries in 3 back-to-back matches. 

Ranganathan Easwaran, the father of the uncapped Indian top-order batter Abhimanyu Easwaran, has blasted over Indian selection process after his son has consistently been ignored for the playing XIs despite deserving. 

It is 950+ days since Abhimanyu Easwaran was first selected in the Indian squad, and he is still waiting for his first international cap. In the ongoing five-match Test series in England (Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025), the 29-year-old top-order batter has constantly been ignored, while the Indian team management has experimented with the no.3 batting position. 

Before the beginning of the last Test of the series at The Oval, the Indian team management went with Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair for the no.3 batting positions, two Tests for each. While both have been selected for the fifth Test, just like the Test series opener, the former is playing the no.3 batting role. 

See Also: 'Those were the right picks' - Former India coach backs key selections for ENG vs IND 2025 5th Test

Karun wasn't picked for the Duleep Trophy or the Irani Trophy: Abhimanyu Easwaran's father

Easwaran's father opened up that Nair wasn't in the Indian Test team during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, as well as in the last Duleep Trophy or Irani Trophy. 

Recently, Ranganathan told the Times of India, "I'm not keeping a count of the number of days that Abhimanyu has been waiting for his Test debut. I am counting the years; it has been three years now. What is the job of a player? It is to score runs. He has done that. People said he didn't perform in two India A matches during the last tour of Australia and didn't get into the team, which is fair enough. But Karun Nair wasn't in the team during the period when Abhimanyu performed before the BGT. Karun wasn't picked for the Duleep Trophy or the Irani Trophy. Abhimanyu scored close to 864 runs if you consider the period from last year to the current year." 

My son looks a little depressed: Abhimanyu Easwaran's father

Easwaran's father believes that Karun Nair's chance is fair enough, but why is his son ignored despite performing consistently? He has also questioned the selection process for Test cricket.  

Ranganathan added, "Then how do they compare? I don't understand. They gave a chance to Karun Nair. Fair enough, he scored 800-plus runs. The selectors have put faith in him. My son looks a little depressed, but that is bound to happen. Some players jump the gun based on IPL performances, which earn them a spot in the Test team. IPL performances should not be counted while selecting the team for the longest format. Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and Irani Trophy should be the basis for Test selection." 

Abhimanyu Easwaran mostly missed the last domestic season due to his injury, while Karun Nair maintained his dream wild batting form that season. However, in limited chances, Easwaran shone with the bat last season, including scoring centuries in all three matches of the last Duleep Trophy season. In the present England tour, while Easwaran served for India A, he scored two second-innings half-centuries for his team against England Lions. 

India cricket team left out Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh from their playing XI for the IND vs ENG 5th Test in London. This means the tour ends for both players, as they did not play a single match despite being part of the squad.

India made four changes to their playing XI – Dhruv Jurel, Akash Deep, Karun Nair, and Prasidh Krishna replaced Rishabh Pant, Anshul Kamboj, Shardul Thakur, and Jasprit Bumrah. Batter Karun Nair, who was dropped for the Manchester Test last week, was brought back into the team. Jasprit Bumrah was rested due to workload concerns.

Gautam Gambhir, the Head Coach of the Indian cricket team, is facing criticism from fans and former players for his choices in the Playing XI for the important 5th Test against England at The Oval.

Despite having a good record in English conditions, Kuldeep Yadav was ignored. Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has done well in domestic cricket, was also not picked. That is why Gambhir is facing criticism.

Also Read -Why are Jasprit Bumrah not playing today in ENG vs IND 5th Test at The Oval?

Kuldeep, Arshdeep Finish England Series Without Playing a Match

Kuldeep Yadav last played a Test in October 2024 during the series against New Zealand, after which he got injured. He returned to the squad in June but missed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to that injury. Even after coming back, the Indian team management decided not to include him in the playing XI for any of the five Tests against England. Many experts had suggested that Kuldeep should play, but captain Shubman Gill chose to go ahead with Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja as the two spin options.

Arshdeep Singh was almost set to make his Test debut in Manchester, but he suffered a hand injury while training for the 4th Test. He had to get stitches and was ruled out of the game. Anshul Kamboj was named as his replacement. Arshdeep had received his first call-up to the Test team for this tour. Before the 5th Test, captain Gill had said that Arshdeep had been told to “stay ready,” but it seems the team was not ready to give him a debut with the series still open.

Kuldeep Yadav, Abhimanyu Easwaran & Arshdeep Singh didint play a single game in this England Test series. pic.twitter.com/gDXcIuBycG

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 31, 2025

Abhimanyu Easwaran Ignored Despite Strong Record

Another name that fans missed was Abhimanyu Easwaran. The Bengal batter had a great domestic season, with scores like 127*, 191, 116, 157*, 200*, and more. In his first-class career, he has scored 7841 runs in 103 matches at an average of 48.70, with 27 centuries and 31 fifties. Despite this, he was not selected for a single game. Instead, the team backed Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan ahead of him.

Because of these decisions, head coach Gautam Gambhir is facing backlash. Fans and former players have criticised his choices. Some netizens wrote, "Inki kismat mein hi nahi hai khelna" (It’s just not in their fate to play). Another fan wrote, “Sack Gautam Gambhir with immediate effect.” Someone else commented, “Annoying as a player to not play even one Test match after doing all the preparation. Maybe they’ll get a chance in the home series.”

India head into the final Test at The Oval facing a 2–1 series deficit after a thrilling draw at Old Trafford. It was a Test that demanded character, and the Indian team responded with exactly that. Centuries from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar rescued India after being reduced to 0 for 2 in the second innings and trailing by 311 runs.

But amid the fightback, one reality stood out: India’s bowling unit looked completely drained. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, both having bowled tirelessly all series, now appear in serious need of rest. With the series still up for grabs, the fifth Test presents not just an opportunity to level the score but also to inject fresh energy and test deserving names on the fringes. Here are five players who have earned a spot in India’s playing XI for the all-important clash at The Oval:

1. Arshdeep Singh 

Arshdeep Singh is yet to play a Test for India, but with the current workload management concerns around Bumrah and Siraj, this could be the perfect time. The 25-year-old left-arm seamer has built up solid red-ball credentials in the domestic circuit, having picked up 48 wickets in 13 first-class matches at an average of 23.91. His five-for (5/35) against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy was a timely reminder of his readiness.

More importantly, Arshdeep’s natural angle and swing would add a crucial point of difference to India’s pace attack, which has been predominantly right-arm throughout the series. With overcast conditions likely at The Oval, he could exploit the early movement and trouble England’s aggressive top order.

2. Kuldeep Yadav 

Kuldeep Yadav has warmed the bench throughout the series, but if there was ever a time to unleash him, it’s now. His overall Test stats are outstanding: in just 10 matches, Kuldeep has taken 41 wickets at an average of 21.09, with best figures of 5/40. Despite not being a regular in recent years, his match-winning potential with the red ball is undeniable.

Given how the Old Trafford pitch began to turn on Day 5, The Oval is likely to offer even more assistance to spinners late in the game. Kuldeep could be the attacking spin option India needs to complement the control of Jadeja and Sundar. His inclusion would give India a proper three-pronged spin attack capable of running through England’s middle order.

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3. Dhruv Jurel 

With Rishabh Pant ruled out of the fifth Test due to a fractured toe, Dhruv Jurel will walk into the XI as the wicketkeeper-batter. And there’s no better candidate. Jurel already impressed in the home series against England earlier in the year, scoring 153 runs in 2 Tests at a superb average of 76.50, with a highest score of 90. His glove work was assured, and he showed remarkable composure under pressure.

Even during the India A vs England Lions series, Jurel struck scores of 94, 53*, and 52, a streak that underlined his readiness for the longest format. He’s calm, technically compact, and has the temperament to bat with both the top and lower order, something India will desperately need in Pant’s absence.

4. Prasidh Krishna 

Prasidh Krishna is another player who has been in the Test setup for a while but is yet to make his debut. While Anshul Kamboj looked underwhelming on debut, Prasidh could bring a different threat with his high-arm action and steep bounce. His first-class numbers are solid: 49 wickets from 12 matches at an average of 19.18.

With India looking to rest both Bumrah and Siraj, there’s a strong chance the Oval Test could mark Prasidh’s long-awaited debut. The pitch at The Oval tends to offer bounce and carry, something that could suit his style perfectly. With Arshdeep moving it, Prasidh hitting the deck, and Akash Deep offering control, India could have a balanced pace trio for the showdown.

5. Abhimanyu Easwaran 

The only uncapped player on this list with extensive India A experience, Abhimanyu Easwaran, continues to remain on the selectors’ radar. The 29-year-old opener boasts a first-class average of 46.83 across 89 matches, with 20 hundreds and a highest score of 233. Despite being part of several Test squads, he’s yet to receive his debut cap.

India’s top order looked fragile at times in the series, especially after early losses in the fourth Test. If the team chooses to rest Rohit Sharma or drop an out-of-form Patidar, Easwaran could finally get his long-overdue opportunity. He’s a compact, no-fuss batter built for the rigours of Test cricket, and this might just be his moment.

India showed great character in salvaging a draw at Old Trafford, but the fifth Test is more than just about pride. It’s about rebalancing workloads, preparing the bench for future overseas tours, and giving richly deserving players their due. Whether it’s Kuldeep’s guile, Arshdeep’s swing, Prasidh’s bounce, Jurel’s resilience, or Easwaran’s consistency, each of these names has something valuable to offer. At The Oval, where results often go down to the wire, India’s fresh faces could be the ones to script the final act of this hard-fought series.

Following a string of poor performances in the current Test series against England, Karun Nair's place in the Indian playing XI for the 4th Test at Old Trafford is in doubt. Nair has struggled to convert starts into big scores, managing only 131 runs at an average of 21.83 in three Tests to date. His best score in this series is only 40. This has opened up debate regarding substitutes for the vital upcoming match. Below are three players who might replace his position:

Sai Sudharsan

This left-handed batsman is a young player who is viewed as a future Indian Test player and might be given one more chance in the Tests. Although he scored a duck in the first innings, he followed it with a composed 30 in the second, showing glimpses of his potential. Sudharsan bats at No. 3—the same spot as Nair—and has been in excellent form in domestic cricket. With a first-class average of 39.93 and a career-best score of 213, he represents a strong long-term option for India in the top order.

Abhimanyu Easwaran

Abhimanyu Easwaran has been a consistent force in India’s domestic circuit and has regularly been part of India A squads. Despite not yet making his Test debut, he carries a wealth of red-ball experience with 7,841 runs at an average of 48.70, including 27 centuries. His recent 80 off 92 balls for India A against England Lions at No. 3 has strengthened his case. Easwaran also led India A against the England Lions and had a gritty 80 in the second innings following a first-innings duck.

See Also: India likely to drop 3 players for 4th Test against England at Old Trafford

Dhruv Jurel

A wicket-keeper batsman, Jurel has made an impression with his batting performance and technique, especially when facing the moving ball. He is a potential candidate to step in place of Nair and provide another layer to the batting unit of the team. He has scored 1,462 runs from 34 first-class matches at a staggering average of 48.73 with one century and 12 half-centuries to his credit. He is also a skilled wicketkeeper with 64 catches and 6 stumpings in first-class cricket. Jurel has played 4 Tests, with 202 runs at an average of 40.40, with one fifty to his name.

While the selectors have the final decision, these three players are strong contenders for the likely absence of Karun Nair in the Indian 4th Test squad against England.

As temperatures soar in India with the IPL nearing its climax, a contrasting scene unfolds in the serene setting of Canterbury, England, where India A, led by the calm Abhimanyu Easwaran, prepare to face the England Lions in the first of two unofficial Test matches. This fixture is more than just a warm-up for India’s upcoming Test tour starting June 20, it’s also a crucial opportunity for emerging talents to stake their claim for a place in the senior side. With high stakes and red-ball ambitions, the match promises gripping, competitive cricket.

Abhimanyu Easwaran will aim to anchor India A both with the bat and through leadership. The squad boasts an exciting mix of IPL flair and red-ball promise, with players like Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad injecting attacking prowess. The returns of Shardul Thakur and Karun Nair add depth but also come with pressure to perform. Their performances could influence future Test selections. Meanwhile, big names such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Kumar Reddy continue to hone their skills with the Dukes ball, keenly aware that strong showings could fast-track their rise to the senior team for the prestigious Pataudi Trophy.

See Also: WATCH: Rahul Vaidya makes bold statement for RCB ahead of IPL 2025 finale

England Lions, meanwhile, bring a dynamic blend of youth and experience into the contest. Captain James Rew, fresh from a prolific County Championship run, will be a key figure at the top. The inclusion of seasoned campaigner Chris Woakes offers stability, while young talent Rocky Flintoff, son of legendary all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, adds buzz to the lineup. With Rehan Ahmed expected to be a major spin threat, the Lions will look to challenge India A in varied conditions. The historic Spitfire Ground in Kent sets the stage for a compelling clash between the next generation of Test hopefuls.

ENG L vs IND A: Match Information

Match: England Lions vs India A, 1st Unofficial Test

Date: Thursday, May 30 to Sunday, June 2, 2025

Time: 3:30 PM IST / 11:00 AM Local Time

Venue: St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom

England Lions vs India A: Live Streaming Details

India:

Television Broadcast: No live telecast available on Indian TV.

Online Streaming: ECB Website and ECB App

Other Countries:

England: ECB Website and ECB App (11:00 AM Local Time)

Rest of World: ECB YouTube Channel

England Lions vs India A: Weather & Pitch Report

The forecast in Canterbury is largely sunny with mild breeze - ideal for four days of uninterrupted red-ball cricket. Early overcast mornings could offer some swing for the pacers, making the first hour crucial. The pitch at St Lawrence Ground traditionally offers good bounce and carry, assisting seamers early on and rewarding patient batsmanship as the day progresses.

England Lions vs India A Full Squads

India A Squad:

Abhimanyu Easwaran(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Dhruv Jurel(w), Shardul Thakur, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Harshit Rana, Akash Deep, Harsh Dubey, Anshul Kamboj, Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande, Sarfaraz Khan.

England Lions Squad:

Tom Haines, Ben McKinney, Emilio Gay, James Rew(w/c), Jordan Cox, Ajeet Dale, Dan Mousley, Rehan Ahmed, Josh Hull, Eddie Jack, Farhan Ahmed, Rocky Flintoff, Zaman Akhter, Henry Crocombe, Max Holden.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revealed the India A team for the upcoming shadow tour of England, where they will face off against the England Lions in an important preparation series. Meant to provide up-and-coming Indian talent with exposure to English conditions, the tour is meant to play a crucial role in developing future Test and ODI stars.

The team will be captained by Abhimanyu Easwaran, with Dhruv Jurel as vice-captain. The complete list comprises Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan, Manav Suthar, Shams Mulani, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Ravi Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, and Harsh Dubey. The team offers a balanced combination of youth and experience in departments.

The pace attack is particularly robust with the likes of Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, and Khaleel Ahmed, while the spinning unit will be managed by the likes of Manav Suthar, Harsh Dubey, and Mulani. Young batters like Jaiswal, Gaikwad, and Sarfaraz will form the backbone of India A's fortunes.

Gill & Sudharsan to Shore Up Team from Second Match

Joining firepower to the batting lineup, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan will be part of the team before the second match of the tour. Both are expected to add more strength to the top order of the team and give leadership experience to the young team.

Also Read: WATCH: Rohit Sharma's emotional speech at the Mumbai Cricket Association stand Naming ceremony

With the senior squad's tour of England looming on the horizon, this shadow tour presents an important chance for fringe players to come through and establish themselves abroad, in front of the selectors and team management.

Abhimanyu Easwaran's Setback: Bengal Opener out due to Finger Injury During Crucial Ranji Trophy Phase

Abhimanyu Easwaran, the man who always opens the batting for Bengal, injury in his right hand. His middle finger got a tiny break in it and  it's called a small crack. This happened when he was playing a game with his club and it's really bad timing. Mr. Easwaran is 29 years old and he was going to be vitally important for his team, Bengal, in the Ranji Trophy. But now, he can't play for a short time, like two weeks.

Easwaran, who was part of the Indian squad during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia but didn’t feature in a Test, has been a cornerstone of Bengal’s batting lineup. Known for his consistency, Easwaran has amassed an impressive 7674 runs in 101 first-class matches at an average of 48.87, including 27 centuries and 29 half-centuries. His highest first-class score, a remarkable 233, underscores his ability to anchor innings and build big scores. In List A cricket, Easwaran's record is equally noteworthy, with 3857 runs in 89 matches at an average of 47.03, featuring nine centuries and 23 fifties. His performances have repeatedly caught the eye of selectors, making him a regular in India A sides over the past few years, where he has been knocking on the doors of national selection.

ALSO READ: 3 Reasons why India can win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Abhimanyu Easwaran out for a few weeks due to hairline fracture in finger@toi_gauravG ✍️ https://t.co/UOB6PirCr7#Cricket #IndianCricket

— TOI Sports (@toisports) January 19, 2025

Impact on Bengal’s Ranji Trophy Campaign

Bengal's team won't have Easwaran to play for them, and that's a major problem. He's really proficient at beginning games and helping his team win. They're trying to do better in the Ranji Trophy, but it'll be harder without his playing well at the beginning of the tournament. As confirmed by a source in the BCCI, Easwaran will need to rest and rehabilitate over the next few weeks to recover fully from the injury. While this marks a temporary setback in his illustrious domestic career, Easwaran’s proven resilience and commitment suggest he will return stronger and hungrier for runs.

Easwaran’s consistent performances have made him one of India’s most promising batting talents. While this injury pauses his immediate contributions, his impressive domestic track record ensures he remains a strong contender for higher honors. Fans and selectors alike will eagerly await his return as he continues his pursuit of a place in the Indian Test team.For Bengal, the focus will now shift to filling the void left by their star opener while hoping for his speedy recovery as they look to maintain their Ranji Trophy momentum.