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Mint
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Mint
‘What has Abhimanyu Easwaran done wrong?': Fans ask after Sai Sudharsan makes India debut during IND vs ENG 1st Test
Abhimanyu Easwaran's much-anticipated Test debut got extended after the Bengal batter was once again overlooked as India handed Sai Sudharsan his maiden cap on Friday against England in the first Test at Headingly in Leeds. The Tamil Nadu batter was handed his maiden Test cap by veteran Cheteshwar Pujara. The 29-year-old Bengal batter, who has been a prolific run-getter in domestic circuit, has bene travelling with the Indian team since 2022, but is yet to make his place in the starting XI. The right-hander was in terrific form last season as he piled up runs in the Duleep Trophy, Irani Trophy and the Ranji Trophy for Bengal, which included a double hundred and five centuries. Despite that, Easwaran's omission left the fans amazed. 'What has Abhimanyu Easwaran done wrong? So conveniently he gets overlooked for an inexperienced Sai Sudharsan. Think IPL form > domestic performance?' wrote one user on X. 'No disrespect to Sai Sudharshan, he is a good batsman but Abhimanyu Easwaran deserved a debut. How long will you keep him in the touring party and not hand him a Test cap? Abhimanyu is far more experienced,' another user pisted. Having been made the captain of the India A side against England Lions, Easwaran had a good outing in both the unofficial Tests. While he scored a 68 in the first game while opening the batting, Easwaran scored 80 in the second game after being dropped to no.3 spot. On the other hand, Sudharsan's Test debut comes after his Orange Cap finish in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League. India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir
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Business Standard
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
ENG vs IND: Abhimanyu Easwaran overlooked, fans blame IPL favouritism
Abhimanyu Easwaran's wait for a Test debut continues, as he was once again left out of India's playing XI for the opening Test against England at Headingley, Leeds, on Friday, June 20. Instead, the Indian team management opted to hand a debut to Sai Sudharsan, who was slotted in at the No. 3 position as India kicked off a new era under captain Shubman Gill. Easwaran, 29, has been a consistent performer in the domestic circuit and was first included in the Indian squad during the 2022 tour of Bangladesh. However, despite being part of the squad multiple times since, he is yet to break into the playing 11. Easwaran performing well in domestic cricket The Bengal batter was in red-hot form last season, scoring heavily in tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and Irani Cup. His notable knocks included 127*, 191, 116, 157*, 200*, among others. In 103 first-class matches, Easwaran has amassed 7,841 runs at an impressive average of 48.70, including 27 centuries and 31 half-centuries. Fans sensing IPL favouritism Despite his consistent performances, the selectors chose to back 23-year-old Sai Sudharsan, who has played 29 first-class games, scoring 1,957 runs at an average of 39.93 with seven hundreds and five fifties. Sudharsan also had an outstanding run in IPL 2025, where he claimed the Orange Cap with 759 runs in 15 innings. While Sudharsan's current form may have influenced the decision, the move drew mixed reactions from fans online, many of whom voiced their disappointment over Easwaran's continued exclusion. All eyes will now be on Sudharsan to see if he can capitalise on this opportunity and make a strong impression in his debut Test.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Indian batter Tilak Varma joins Hampshire for county championship matches
Young India batter Tilak Varma has signed with Hampshire to play four matches in the ongoing Rothesay County Championship between June 22 and August 1. The 22-year-old left-handed allrounder from Hyderabad will be available for Hampshire's next four fixtures, beginning with their away clash against Essex at Chelmsford from June 22-25. Varma has represented India in 29 matches, including 25 T20Is, scoring 749 runs with two centuries -- both against South Africa in November 2024 -- and three fifties, including an unbeaten 72 against England earlier this year. A rising T20 star, Varma made his debut in the format in 2019 and was picked by Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2022 IPL season. Since then, he has scored just under 1,500 runs in 54 matches for the franchise at an average of 37.47 and a strike rate of 144.41, including eight fifties. As of June 2025, he holds the second-highest average in T20Is -- 49.93 -- the best among batters from ICC full-member nations. "It's fantastic to have Tilak available for the next four County Championship matches," said Giles White, Hampshire's Director of Cricket. "He's an exciting talent who has already made a big impact on the international stage and in the IPL, and we look forward to seeing what he can do for Hampshire this summer." Varma also has a strong red-ball resume, having played 18 first-class matches, including appearances for India A in the Duleep Trophy and against England Lions earlier this year. He has scored over 1,200 runs with five centuries and four fifties at an impressive average of 50.16. Hampshire currently sit seventh in Division One after finishing runners-up last season -- their best result since 2005. After the Essex match, Varma is expected to make his home debut for Hampshire against Worcestershire at the Ageas Bowl from June 29-July 2.
India Today
a day ago
- Sport
- India Today
Test cricket aspirations? Tilak Varma signs County deal with Hampshire
Young India batter Tilak Varma has signed with Hampshire to play four matches in the ongoing County Championship. Varma will be in England when the Indian Test team is playing a 5-match Test series in the 22-year-old left-handed all-rounder from Hyderabad will be available for Hampshire's next four fixtures between June 22 and August 1, beginning with their away clash against Essex at stylish left-hander has represented India in 29 matches, including 25 T20Is, scoring 749 runs with two centuries — both against South Africa in November 2024. A household name in the Indian cricketing scene due to the Indian Premier League, Varma made his debut in the format in 2019 and was picked by Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2022 season. Since then, he has scored just under 1,500 runs in 54 matches for the franchise at an average of 37.47 and a strike rate of 144.41, including eight fifties."It's fantastic to have Tilak available for the next four County Championship matches," said Giles White, Hampshire's Director of Cricket."He's an exciting talent who has already made a big impact on the international stage and in the IPL, and we look forward to seeing what he can do for Hampshire this summer."advertisementThe batter has played in the white-ball formats but is yet to play in the red-ball format for the Indian team. Tilak Varma has a strong red-ball resume, having played 18 first-class matches, including appearances for India A in the Duleep Trophy and against England Lions earlier this year. He has scored over 1,200 runs with five centuries and four fifties at an impressive average of currently sit seventh in Division One after finishing runners-up last season — their best result since the Essex match, Varma is expected to make his home debut for Hampshire against Worcestershire at the Ageas Bowl from June 29 to July Watch
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
India star batter Tilak Varma joins Hampshire for four County Championship matches
Hampshire [UK], June 18 (ANI): India and Mumbai Indians' explosive batter Tilak Varma has joined Hampshire for four County Championship matches, beginning with Rose and Crown's away clash with Essex. On Wednesday, Hampshire announced the arrival of Tilak in a press release that read, 'Young Indian batting talent Tilak Varma has joined Hampshire for four County Championship matches. The 22-year-old from Hyderabad will be available for Hampshire men's next four fixtures in the Rothesay County Championship, starting with the Rose and Crown's away clash with Essex.' Tilak has featured for India 29 times, 25 of those have been in T20Is, during which he has amassed 749 runs laced with two centuries, which came in successive innings against South Africa in November 2024, and three fifties, which feature a 72* against England at the start of the year. 'It's fantastic to have Tilak available for the next four County Championship matches. He's an exciting talent who has already made a big impact on the international stage and in the IPL, and we look forward to seeing what he can do for Hampshire this summer,' Giles White, Director of Cricket, said in a press release by Hampshire. Tilak is famously known for his exploits in the shortest format of cricket, especially for the five-time champions, the Mumbai Indians, in the Indian Premier League. He has yielded 1499 runs for the franchise in 54 matches, with eight fifties at an average of 37.47 and a strike rate of 144.41. In red ball cricket, the left-handed Varma has played 18 First-Class matches and represented India A in the Duleep Trophy and played two matches against England Lions in early 2024. The young southpaw boasts 1204 runs with five centuries and four fifties at an average of 50.16. Hampshire currently occupies seventh place in the Rothesay County Championship Division One. They recorded their best finish in the competition since 2005 last summer when the club finished as runners-up. (ANI)
