Abhimanyu Easwaran May Also Get A Chance To Come In The XI vs England - Saba Karim

Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim reacts to the recent reports stating that Abhimanyu Easwaran would be soon added to India’s squad to take on England in the Test series after Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the series due to a leg injury.

Earlier the team management’s request of flying in Prithvi Shaw and Devdutt Padikkal was denied by the selectors, who asserted that the management includes Abhimanyu Easwaran, who was in the standby players, into the main squad.

Saba Karim, who has previously been a selector himself, says that the Bengal batsman “richly deserves” this call-up. Abhimanyu Easwaran has amassed 4401 runs at a healthy average of 43.57 in 64 first-class matches. He has scored 13 centuries with the highest score of 233. The right-hander averages 48.72 in 62 List-A matches.

“This is an extremely logical step. If an opener has gotten injured and he has come back, another opener should get a spot in his place. He richly deserves it because he has given good performances in domestic cricket and was part of the Indian team earlier also as a standby,” Saba Karim told India News.

If openers don’t click Abhimanyu Easwaran will get a chance to come in the XI: Saba Karim

Since Gill is all but confirmed to miss at least the first three Tests, Mayank Agarwal, the next incumbent opener will take the opening position alongside Rohit Sharma.

Saba Karim reckons if the openers don’t deliver, then Abhimanyu Easwaran could get a chance in the eleven. The 5-Test series commences on August 4 at Trent Bridge.

“So, this is a sensible and well-thought-out decision. If he doesn’t get a chance in the first two Test matches, but if our openers don’t click, which we don’t want, Abhimanyu Easwaran will also get a chance to come in the XI, which will be a huge achievement for him,” Karim opined.

Also Read: Mohammad Kaif Expects Rahul Dravid To Manage Kuldeep Yadav Better In Sri Lanka