With ODI series done and dusted it is time for the India Cricket Team to focus on the upcoming IND vs SA Test series. With WTC Points up for grabs, Team India will field a strong team against the Proteas. Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the Test series with an injury. This has paved the way for domestic star Abhimanyu Easwaran to be a part of the team.
Ruturaj Gaikwad was a dependable opener backup for team India. With the seniors returning, the openers slot is set. In all likelihood, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal will opening proceedings for the visitors. Like in the Test series against West Indies before the Asia Cup, Shubman Gill is likely to slot in at Number 3.
Ruturaj was also the second backup, but the top order batter missed IND vs SA 3rd ODI with a finger injury. Since he will not be able to recover for the Test series, Gaikwad as been released by the Indian team to return to India and recover. This has paved the way for Abhimanyu Easwaran to be picked from the India A side and join the main contingent.
Spot for Abhimanyu Easwaran
Abhimanyu Easwaran has been consistently performing in the domestic circuit and has been constantly vying for a spot in the senior team. In India A’s shadow tour of South Africa he struck an unbeaten 61 run knock on Day 2 of the first practice game. But he was then retired by the Indian board.
Still a part of the India A side, Abhimanyu Easwaran is slated to take part in the second practice game starting on 26th December. But this will likely be the case now. In the absence of Gaikwad, Easwaran just might get his chance under the sun and join the main squad.
