As India gears up for the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds, on June 20, 2025, the spotlight is once again on the selection decisions made by head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. The exclusion of a certain India star has ignited fresh debate and criticism, with former cricketers and fans questioning the rationale behind overlooking proven talent.

The Indian team is entering a new era in Test cricket, marked by the retirements of stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. This series against England also marks the beginning of a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, adding more significance to each selection decision. While the squad features new faces like Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh, along with the return of Karun Nair after a long hiatus, the absence of Sarfaraz Khan has been a major talking point.

Mohammed Kaif, a former India batter, has voiced his disapproval of Sarfaraz's continued exclusion. He urged the team management not to repeat a "mistake" by favoring Sudharsan over Abhimanyu Easwaran in the playing XI. Kaif emphasized that Easwaran's impressive first-class record, boasting 27 centuries and nearly 8,000 runs, deserves recognition. He believes that overlooking Sarfaraz, who has consistently scored runs for India A, sends the wrong message.

The debate intensified with speculation that Sai Sudharsan is likely to make his Test debut in the first match. However, Rishabh Pant's recent comments about the batting order suggest that Sudharsan might be competing with Karun Nair for a spot. While Easwaran's chances of playing in the first Test seem slim, Kaif argues that the Bengal batter should be given preference at Headingley.

Sanjay Manjrekar has also taken Gambhir and Agarkar to task for what he perceives as a "disturbing trend" in team selection. He criticized the selectors for trying to predict player performance instead of prioritizing merit and past achievements. Manjrekar highlighted Sarfaraz Khan's omission as a prime example of this flawed approach. Despite Sarfaraz's impressive domestic form, including a century against New Zealand, he has been consistently overlooked.

The decision to exclude Shreyas Iyer from the Test squad has also raised eyebrows. Despite his impressive form in both international and domestic cricket, Iyer was not included in either the senior Test squad or the India A side. When questioned about Iyer's exclusion, Gambhir offered a terse response, stating, "I am not a selector." Ajit Agarkar had previously explained that there was "no room in Test cricket" for Iyer, despite his good form.

While the team management and selectors have their reasons for these decisions, the criticism from former players and fans underscores the importance of consistent performance and rewarding domestic success. As India embarks on this new chapter in Test cricket, it remains to be seen whether these selection debates will impact the team's performance on the field.

Meanwhile, veteran pacer Umesh Yadav has supported the inclusion of Shardul Thakur in the playing XI for the first Test. Umesh believes that Shardul's previous experience playing in England would be valuable to the team. He also highlighted Shardul's all-round abilities, noting that he can bowl 10-12 overs a day and contribute with the bat.

As the first Test approaches, the Indian team, led by Shubman Gill, aims to end their 18-year series drought in England. KL Rahul, a senior player in the squad, is also spotted roaming the streets of Leeds ahead of the first Test between England and India. Rahul is expected to play a crucial role with the bat, especially in the absence of Kohli and Sharma.