"Not picked him because of IPL": Ajit Agarkar drops bombshell on rising star after Test squad announcement

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief selector Ajit Agarkar has made a colossal statement on the young India batting sensation after the Test squad announcement for the England tour.

On Saturday, May 24, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially announced the strong India squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against the Three Lions in England.

Also Read: Ajit Agarkar reveals colossal reason behind naming Rishabh Pant India’s Test vice-captain

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Big Changes In India Squad For England Tour

The biggest transition phase in Indian cricket has officially begun, and a young squad has been named for the Test series against England, with some fresh faces in it.

From India's Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 squad, as many as six players are not part of India's main squad for the five Test matches in England.

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin have officially retired from red-ball cricket, and Devdutt Padikkal has been ignored because he is currently nursing an injury. Also, Sarfaraz Khan, Harshit Rana, and Tanush Kotian have been dropped from the squad.

Meanwhile, Karun Nair has made his India Test comeback after a very long time, thanks to consistent performances in domestic cricket. Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav have also returned to the Test team, while Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh have received maiden Test call-ups.

I Don’t Think His IPL Performances Have Made Us To Pick Him For Test Cricket - Ajit Agarkar On Sai Sudharsan

The selection of Sai Sudharsan has not come as a surprise because he is among the most talented young batsmen in the world and has performed brilliantly across 20-over, 50-over, and red-ball cricket.

Sudharsan has already got his India ODI and T20I caps and is now set to make his Test debut in the high-octane series against the Ben Stokes-led side, which will start on June 20.

While talking about Sai Sudharsan's selection, the chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, clarified that he has not been picked in the Test team based on his red-hot form in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Ajit Agarkar called the Tamil Nadu youngster a 'terrific red-ball player' and said that they had eyes on him for a couple of years, and with the spots opening up in the Test XI, they decided to include him in the team.

“Last year when England Lions came, he (Sudharsan) got runs. So it’s not like he hasn’t scored runs in red-ball cricket. We’ve not picked him because of IPL. He’s a terrific red-ball player, has shown the right temperament. Seems to have the game to succeed at the top level," Ajit Agarkar said on Saturday.

“Once he has played, we will probably get to know better. I don’t think his IPL performances have made us to pick him for Test cricket. We’ve been looking at him for a while, at least since I’ve been here for a couple of years but there wasn’t any place in the team to pick the guys. Now that we have the opportunity, certainly deserves it," Ajit Agarkar added.

Sai Sudharsan - Orange Cap Holder In IPL 2025

The left-handed Gujarat Titans opening batsman Sudharsan has set the stage on fire in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 and is currently sitting at the top of the Orange Cap List.

He was sensational with the bat in the Indian Premier League 2024 as well as he scored 527 runs at an average of 47.90 and a strike rate of 141.28.

However, this year he has further leveled up his game and has so far slammed 638 runs at an average of 53.16 and a strike rate of 155.99.