Overview

• The BCCI named a 15-player squad for two home Tests in October, excluding long-waiting opener Abhimanyu Easwaran.
• Agarkar explained there was no need for a third opener and said an opener could be flown in if required.
• Selectors added Axar Patel as an extra spinning all-rounder for home conditions after he missed the England tour.
• Easwaran was instead picked for the Rest of India in the Irani Cup, starting October 1 in Nagpur under Rajat Patidar against Vidarbha.
• The Tests are scheduled for October 2 in Ahmedabad and the second in Delhi with World Test Championship points on offer, as media criticism followed the omission.