4 players who will be dropped from the Indian Test team

The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 came to a dramatic close with a 2-2 draw. While the result looks even, the story across five Tests tells something different. India won 33 sessions compared to England’s 21, with 18 shared. That means India played better cricket for most of the series. Still, they were just one shot away from losing 3-1.

Given that, a drawn result feels like a win for the visitors.

More importantly, this was India’s first series after the retirement of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin. Jasprit Bumrah played only three matches. Yet under new leadership, the team showed hunger, grit, and balance. Several fresh names stood up across difficult moments.

Amid this exciting new phase, there are a few players who might find themselves out of the picture for the upcoming home series against West Indies and South Africa. Not because they failed, but because the competition has grown sharper and the margins have become tighter.

Here are four players from the recently concluded Test series who are unlikely to be picked in the next India squad.

1. Karun Nair

Karun Nair’s return to the Indian Test squad after nearly nine years was one of the more emotional stories heading into the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy. A triple centurion in his brief early career, Nair had gone back to domestic cricket and scored consistently for seasons. His selection was seen as a reward for perseverance and hunger.

However, the four Tests he played in England did not do justice to that narrative. He managed just one half-century across eight innings and looked unsure against the moving ball. There were moments when he batted with intent, but the scores did not reflect that effort.

With Rishabh Pant now ruled out for the next six weeks due to a toe fracture, India will most likely give more opportunities to someone like Sarfaraz Khan or continue with Dhruv Jurel as a batting option. Karun, unfortunately, may find himself behind in the pecking order again. The upcoming home series could be used to test younger, long-term options.

2. Anshul Kamboj

Anshul Kamboj’s call-up for the fourth Test was unexpected but understandable. India were dealing with multiple injuries in the pace department, and Kamboj had impressed in the warm-up matches with a five-wicket haul. He was brought in to fill a gap, not to be a long-term option.

Unfortunately, his only outing in the series did not go well. India bowled just once in that match, and Kamboj ended with figures of 18 overs, 89 runs and a solitary wicket. His pace was questioned, with many critics pointing out that he operated at military medium speeds which didn’t trouble the English batters.

While one match is never enough to judge a player’s potential, the current pace bowling competition in India is extremely tough. Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, and Nitish Kumar Reddy are all ahead in the queue. Kamboj might return to domestic cricket and work on his game, but another immediate call-up looks unlikely.

3. Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur’s place in the playing eleven has often led to debates. On one hand, he offers the ability to contribute with both bat and ball. On the other hand, he has lacked consistency in both departments in recent times. His performances in this series did not do enough to silence his critics.

With the emergence of Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is younger, quicker, and equally capable with the bat, the road ahead for Shardul looks difficult. Nitish showed composure beyond his age and played a crucial role in India’s fightbacks. He also bowled longer spells and offered more control.

For Shardul, this could mean spending more time in the domestic circuit unless he reinvents his game. His experience still holds value, but at the moment, the Indian team seems to be moving in a new direction and may not carry too many bits and pieces players in the squad.

4. Abhimanyu Easwaran

Abhimanyu Easwaran’s story mirrors several talented domestic players in Indian cricket. He has been around the fringes of the Indian Test setup for years. He has travelled as a standby, played A matches, and waited patiently for his opportunity. In this series, though he didn’t make his debut, he was part of the larger squad.

India’s top order is now beginning to settle with Jaiswal, Gill, and Rahul forming a solid core. With Ruturaj Gaikwad also being groomed, the chances of Easwaran making the eleven look slim. The selectors might prefer giving debuts to younger players with higher strike rates or more aggressive playing styles, especially in home conditions.

Easwaran is a technically sound batter, but his time may be running out as the Indian team begins to look forward and invest in newer faces.

Final thoughts

The Anderson Tendulkar Trophy gave India many reasons to smile. A drawn series in England, achieved under a new captain, with a young group and without some of their biggest names, is nothing short of a win. But with success comes the need to make difficult calls.

The upcoming home series against West Indies and South Africa will likely see India make more changes and test new players in familiar conditions. For those who could not make the most of their chances in England, the road ahead becomes trickier.

Karun Nair, Anshul Kamboj, Shardul Thakur and Abhimanyu Easwaran may not find themselves in the next Test squad. That does not mean they are finished. Indian cricket has shown time and again that comebacks are always possible. But for now, the selectors are likely to look elsewhere.