Kuldeep Yadav, Abhimanyu Easwaran & Arshdeep Singh Miss Entire India‑England Test Series
Despite being part of India’s squad for the full five-Test tour of England—including the final Test at The Oval—three players never took the field. Kuldeep Yadav (wrist-spinner), Arshdeep Singh (left-arm pacer), and top-order batter Abhimanyu Easwaran remained unused throughout, as India fielded a different XI in every match.
Tour Overview & Squad Rotation
India fielded completely different playing XIs in all five Tests—a rare approach in Red Ball tours. While multiple players rotated in and out due to workload and form, the trio of Kuldeep, Arshdeep and Easwaran never got a chance despite being in the squad.
Why Kuldeep Yadav Didn’t Play
Although Kuldeep Yadav was India’s only specialist wrist-spinner in the squad, team management consistently preferred multi-dimensional players like Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who offered all‑round contributions. Former captain Sourav Ganguly publicly questioned Kuldeep’s exclusion, citing flat pitches which demanded wicket-taking options.
Arshdeep Singh’s Near Misses
Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh was in contention to debut but was sidelined by a hand injury ahead of the fourth Test in Manchester. Later on, fitness concerns and strategic preferences saw pacers like Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep being preferred. Arshdeep ended the tour without a single Test appearance.
Abhimanyu Easwaran’s Long Wait
Abhimanyu Easwaran has been part of India’s Test squad since 2022 but is yet to debut. His father publicly expressed frustration, stating that after 961 days and strong domestic performances—including topping the charts in Ranji and other tournaments—he still remains uncapped. His exclusion, even when others got opportunities, has raised questions on selection priorities.
Summary Table
| Player | Role | Reason for Not Playing |
|---|---|---|
| Kuldeep Yadav | Wrist‑spinner | Management favoured batting all‑rounders instead |
| Arshdeep Singh | Left‑arm pace | Injury and selection of other pacers like Krishna/Atkinson |
| Abhimanyu Easwaran | Top‑order batter | Despite strong domestic record, never selected in XI |
FAQs
Which players didn’t play any Test in the India tour of England?
Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, and Abhimanyu Easwaran did not feature in any match during the five-Test series, including Oval Test.
Why wasn’t Kuldeep Yadav selected despite being in the squad?
The team prioritised all-rounders like Jadeja and Sundar who can contribute with bat and ball, reducing the need for a specialist wrist-spinner.
What is the status of Abhimanyu Easwaran’s Test career now?
Easwaran has waited 961 days since his first squad inclusion and remains uncapped, despite strong domestic stats—drawing criticism from his father and fans.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information compiled from online sources. Please verify independently before making any decisions based on it.
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