A Former Indian selector feels that Sarfaraz Khan’s gameplay against pace bowlers and Abhimanyu Easwaran’s temperament in the big games for Bengal might have worked against them during the selection of the India squad for the West Indies. Many deserving performers for the domestic cricketer were snubbed from the test squad, leaving an impression that selection was based on the player’s form in the IPL.

Experienced Indian players Cheteshwar Pujara and Umesh Yadav were shown the doors in the longer format of the game, following their poor performance in the World Test Championship final against Australia, while the selectors have invested in Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Mukesh Kumar going into the next WTC Cycle.

According to the reports in Hindustan Times, when asked about the proven performers’ absence from the India squad, the Former Selector feels that Sarfaraz Khan looked vulnerable against the pace bowlers in the IPL, where he struggled to find his form and Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran had a poor run with the bat in the Knockout games for his home side.

“Hence Sarfaraz Khan getting completely exposed against quick bowlers in IPL or Abhimanyu Easwaran not scoring for Bengal in seven consecutive Ranji knock-out games (three quarter-finals, two semi-finals, and two finals) also is taken into account. It is not just about how many runs you score but also how you score them that matters,” a former selector said.

Sarfaraz Khan is one of the consistent performers for Mumbai, as he amassed 2970 runs from 26 matches at an average of 106.07 and has been doing exceptionally well in the longer format of the game. Easwaran has always been a part of the India ‘A’ and has been waiting a long time for his turn. He was part of the India squad in England and Bangladesh but was not given the opportunity to be part of the playing 11.

The former selector feels that Ruturaj Gaikwad’s ability to play fast bowlers would have worked in his favour for the West Indies and believes that he did a good job with an average of 42.19 in first-class matches, which would have tempted the selectors to pick him ahead of Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran.

“I am not saying Das’ panel would think like this but a Ruturaj with his ability to play fast bowling, despite his 40 plus average in Ranji Trophy, stands a better chance to be successful. A selector will not just look at runs,” he said.

Many former Indian cricketers Sunil Gavaskar, Aakash Chopra, Wasim Jaffer, and Harbhajan Singh expressed their disappointment over the inconsistency in selection for the West Indies tour starting on June 12.