IND Vs ENG: Discussion on team selection strategy before the Oval Test intensified, will this player waiting for 4 years will get a chance

IND vs Eng: Team India’s England tour is now at its last stop. After Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, the Indian team has now returned to London again, where the fifth and last Test is to be played at the Oval Kennington Maidan from 31 July, but before that, once again the debate over the team selection has intensified. This time the reason for the discussion is veteran domestic batsman Abhimanyu Ishwaran, who has been present in every tour with the team for four years, but has been waiting for his Test debut till now.

Every practice is present in session, yet there is no chance

Abhimanyu Ishwaran has been seen in the team’s practices session before every Test of the series. Whether it is fielding or nets session, he has appeared in enthusiasm every time, but as soon as it comes, the team management avoids expressing confidence in them. When Karun Nair was excluded in Manchester too, it was believed that Abhimanyu would now get a chance, but then Sai Sudarshan was included in the playing XI.

Abhimanyu has been sitting on the bench for 4 years

Abhimanyu Ishwar has been a part of the Indian Test team since 2021-22. He has made a continuous tour with the team, but the team did not give him a chance to play a single match. During this time, 15 players who joined the team after him have made their Test debut. It includes names like Suryakumar Yadav, Ishaan Kishan and Silver Patidar. That is, Abhimanyu, despite being a part of the squad for four years, has just been roaming with the team by becoming a “tourist”.

Why did Sai Sudarshan put forward?

Questions arise on the strategy of team management because they have repeatedly given priority to IPL performance. Sai Sudarshan may have performed brilliantly in IPL 2025, but the figures in domestic cricket are in favor of Abhimanyu.

First class record of Abhimanyu Ishwan

Match- 103

Run- 7841

Average- 54.25

Century- 27

Half-century 31

Sai Sudarshan’s first class record

Match- 30

Run- 1987

Average-36

Century- 7

Half-century 5

It is clear that Abhimanyu is far ahead of Sai Sudarshan in experience and figure.

Coach Gautam Gambhir himself has also advocated domestic cricket

The head coach of the Indian team, Gautam Gambhir, has said many times to consider the performance of domestic cricket as the basis of selection in the team, but in the decisions of selection, Gambhir is not seen anywhere. This is the reason that former selector Saba Karim has openly criticized the team selection. He believes, “It is wrong to include a player in the team only on the basis of IPL performance. To ignore the player playing brilliant in domestic cricket for years, it raises questions on the selection process of Indian Tem.”

Now expectations rested on the Oval Test

In the Oval Test starting on 31 July, if Team India’s eyes are on forming a balanced team, then it can become an opportunity for Abhimanyu Ishwan. India is behind in the first series and the team will need experienced players to bring results in the final match. In such a situation, it will be interesting to see if the selectors give a chance to Abhimanu this time.