Former IPL winner criticises treatment with Bengal players, calls it unfair

When the selectors were preparing to select Team India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia, everyone in India was expecting the inclusion of the star Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran. He had smashed three successive First-Class centuries in his last five FC appearances. Even after a nod from the selectors, Indian team management disagreed with Easwaran’s place in the senior squad.

The Bengal cricketer only got a chance to play for India against Australia A; he failed with the bat in these appearances for India A, scoring 7, 12, 0, and 17. 

Meanwhile, the Bengal head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla recently made a strong statement in Easwaran’s favour. He feels that the batter deserved a chance to be a part of Team India in the Test series against Australia.

Things have been unfair to Bengal cricket for generations now - Laxmi Ratan Shukla

The former IPL winner also criticized the way Bengal players are being treated when it comes to the selections at the higher level.

“We don’t find them available for state matches, and domestic tournaments are more important than India A. The likes of Sai Sudharsan and Abhimanyu Easwaran have nothing more to prove. They should play directly for India or domestic tournaments otherwise,” said Laxmi Ratan Shukla to Sportskeeda.

“This is not the first time Bengal players have found themselves on the wrong side of things. And even now, I am seeing that things are not how they are supposed to be. But what can we do? We can do nothing,” he added later.

Furthermore, Shukla also spoke about the process of Bengal players playing first for India while the players from a few other states get direct place in the senior squad of Team India.

“I got a break because of my performance. And I have never cried over ifs and buts. But there’s no point discussing my story. Things have been unfair to Bengal cricket for generations now – this has been on record. We have to perform and yet play India A, while others directly get the India cap,” he said.