NEW DELHI: As India gear up for the opening Test of the five-match series against England at Headingley, Leeds, all eyes are on the playing XI. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma having stepped away from red-ball cricket, this tour signals a new era under the youthful leadership of Shubman Gill.Among the front-runners for the pivotal batting position is Sai Sudharsan, whose explosive IPL form and fearless stroke play have catapulted him into national reckoning. However, veteran domestic performer Abhimanyu Easwaran stands as a compelling alternative. With nearly 8,000 first-class runs and 27 centuries to his name, Easwaran represents a tried-and-tested option in swinging English conditions.

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif weighed in strongly on the matter. Taking to social media, Kaif cautioned head coach Gautam Gambhir not to overlook proven performers. “Abhimanyu Easwaran deserves to be in the playing XI before Sai Sudarshan. Easwaran’s 27 first-class hundreds, almost 8k FC runs need to be respected. By dropping Sarfaraz, someone who scored runs for India A in England, selectors made a mistake. They shouldn’t repeat it by keeping Easwaran out of Leeds Test,” Kaif wrote on his official X account,” Kaif wrote.There’s also buzz around Dhruv Jurel, who impressed during India A’s recent assignments and could offer dual value as a wicketkeeper-batter, depending on team balance.In English Test conditions, more than just recent form, it’s adaptability, patience, and grit that count. Each session can present a new challenge — be it cloud cover, seam movement, or late swing. For India’s emerging talents, this series is not just about runs and wickets, but about showing character.