Tests In England: Lack Of Depth In India's Opening May Be A Worry

As KL Rahul has undergone surgery for appendicitis recently, and his travel to England for India's Test tour being uncertain, the focus on opening options shifts to the team's reserves. The Vi

Singh voted for Shaw, whom he compared with the redoubtable Virender Sehwag. "He is like Sehwag. You have to guide him. If he clicks, he can destroy the opposition, just like Sehwag. I think on a tour like England, he or Padikkal should have been picked ahead of Easwaran, who didn't a good domestic season the last time," he said.

Former chief selector Kiran More said: "Selectors need to answer why he has been picked ahead of a more experienced batsman. I don't want to comment on it."

But since the chairman of selectors, unlike in the past, does not announce team in front of the media these days, and the Indian cricket board announces teams through bland media releases, the explanation that More seeks may never come.

Current chief selector Chetan Sharma did not take calls from IANS. The only explanation could be that Shaw is known to be very suspect against the movement and Padikkal is fairly new, having played just 15 first-class games across two seasons.

Easwaran is the only batsman among the four standby players. The other three – M Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, and Arzan Nagwaswalla -- are fast bowlers.

It is still unclear if Easwaran would be drafted in the main squad in case an injury happens or if Rahul fails to recover and does not make it to England.

But with India set to tour Sri Lanka for a white ball series, scheduled from July 13 to July 27, and with Shaw, Padikkal and Shikhar Dhawan likely to be picked for that tour, it looks unlikely that there will be enough time to send reinforcements from India in case of any calamity. That might well open the doors for Easwaran and the Bengal batsman could be drafted into the main squad.

Even if any of the three players are rushed to England from Sri Lanka, they will have to undergo quarantine. Besides, they will have to contend with lack of preparation.