Sai Sudharsan's last-minute snub ordered as Abhimanyu Easwaran backed for Test debut with 'Sarfaraz Khan' warning

Mohammad Kaif has issued a strong warning to the young India National Cricket Team ahead of the five-match Test series opener against England, starting at Headingley in Leeds. As India is set to begin the new era under Shubman Gill’s captaincy, Kaif has some worthy suggestions.

The former Indian batter has slammed the national selectors and the head coach, Gautam Gambhir, for dropping Sarfaraz Khan from the Test squad for the upcoming five-match Test series in England. Sarfaraz Khan had smashed a century for India A in the four-day game against England Lions.

Mohammad Kaif backs Abhimanyu Easwaran over Sai Sudharsan for Leeds Test

As the first Test is set to get underway on Friday, June 20, in Leeds, Mohammad Kaif warned the Indian team management against picking Sai Sudharsan ahead of Abhimanyu Easwaran in the playing XI. Kaif believes that Abhimanyu Easwaran must be a straight pick in the playing XI, citing his staggering 27 first-class centuries and around 8,000 runs under his belt in red-ball cricket.

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Abhimanyu Easwaran’s consistent domestic performances and experience should be respected by the Indian team management, according to the former Indian batter. Slamming the selectors’ earlier call to drop Sarfaraz Khan, Kaif warned Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill against repeating that mistake.

Sai Sudharsan is strongly in contention to make his India debut in Leeds, given his stunning performances in the IPL 2025. However, Sai Sudharsan has so far played 29 first-class games and scored 1957 runs with the help of seven centuries and five fifties.

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Abhimanyu Easwaran's FC runs need to be respected: Mohammad Kaif

But Kaif feels Sai can wait for his senior, Easwaran, to make his dream debut in the first Test against England in Leeds. He urged the team management to respect Easwaran's first-class stats and hand him his debut cap against England ahead of the Gujarat Titans batter.

Mohammad Kaif posted, X: “Abhimanyu Easwaran deserves to be in the playing XI before Sai Sudarshan. Easwaran's 27 first-class hundreds and almost 8k FC runs need to be respected. By dropping Sarfraz, someone who scored runs for India A in England, selectors made a mistake. They shouldn't repeat it by keeping Easwaran out of the Leeds Test.”

Abhimanyu Easwaran deserves to be in the playing XI before Sai Sudarshan. Easwaran's 27 first-class hundreds, almost 8k FC runs need to be respected. By dropping Sarfraz, someone who scored runs for India A in England, selectors made a mistake. They shouldn't repeat it by keeping…

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 19, 2025

Shubman Gill leads India into Test transition; England opt for fresh firepower

Meanwhile, India is entering a new phase in Test cricket with big names like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin having recently retired. The team is now led by young Shubman Gill, with Rishabh Pant as vice-captain, and the squad features a fresh and young lineup.

Experienced batter Karun Nair, who was recalled after strong domestic performances, is likely to play his first Test in eight years. Sai Sudharsan is expected to make his Test debut. Fast bowler Harshit Rana has also joined the squad for the upcoming Leeds Test.

On the other hand, England, led by Ben Stokes, has already announced their playing XI for the first Test against India. The pace attack will be led by Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, and Brydon Carse, while young spinner Shoaib Bashir will be the only specialist in that department.

Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will open the innings, with Joe Root and Ollie Pope forming the core of the top order. Interestingly, four English players—Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Brydon Carse, and Josh Tongue—will be facing India in Test cricket for the very first time.

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