Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Dec 2: Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has taken a sharp dig at the BCCI selectors following India’s 2-0 Test series defeat to South Africa at home, questioning the committee’s approach of picking red-ball players based on white-ball and IPL performances.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel has been under scrutiny for fast-tracking players such as Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Dhruv Jurel into the Test squad despite their limited first-class exposure. The recent whitewash has intensified debates around the criteria used for choosing Test specialists.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin mocked the selectors while referring to Abhimanyu Easwaran’s blazing century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In a sarcastic jibe, he urged selectors to consider Easwaran for Tests now that he has scored runs in T20s as well.
"I'm excited about another person. The Test incumbent player who has always been spoken about, Abhimanyu Easwaran. He scored a hundred in T20 also now. Now we can get to see him for sure. Given that he has now scored runs in T20, for sure we will get to see him in the Test team now," Ashwin said.
Easwaran, one of Bengal’s most consistent domestic performers, has played 107 first-class matches, amassing 8,070 runs at an average of 48.32, including 27 centuries and 33 fifties. Despite his impressive record, he continues to await his India Test debut.
On Sunday, Easwaran hammered a brilliant 66-ball 130, though Bengal suffered a heavy defeat to Punjab by 112 runs. The match saw a destructive 52-ball 148 from India T20I opener Abhishek Sharma, who, along with Prabhsimran Singh, piled up a massive 205-run opening stand in just over 13 overs.
Punjab posted a formidable 310 for five — the second-highest total in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy history, behind Baroda’s 349 for five against Sikkim in 2024. Left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar starred with figures of 4/23 on an otherwise tough day for bowlers.
Ashwin’s remarks have reignited the debate on India’s Test team selection model, underscoring growing concerns over prioritising IPL performances over first-class pedigree.