'They aren't getting runs even for India A...': Ex-India selector calls out Sudharsan, Padikkal and Easwaran for flop show vs South Africa A

The two-match first-class series against South Africa A saw some of the back-up Indian batters perform miserably. Both Devdutt Padikkal and Abhimanyu Easwaran were the ones under the scanner as they performed poorly in all the innings that they played during the series. While Padikkal scored just 39 runs from four innings, Easwaran recorded ducks in both the innings of the second and final match. Another player who wasn't able to make much of an impact against South Africa A was Sai Sudharsan, finishing with 84 runs from four innings.

Former India selector Devang Gandhi was highly critical of the three batters, stating that none of them will be able to receive a call-up to the national team if they keep up these poor performances. He further pointed out how Sudharsan has been given many chances by the selectors, but is yet to cement his place in India's playing XI for the longest format.

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"As of now, they should give Sudharsan a longer run because he is young. But all the selectors need to spread out and cover as many domestic games as possible. It’s clear that there is a dry pool of backup batters in the Test format. Sudharsan hasn’t cemented his place," Gandhi told The Times of India.

"Padikkal isn’t getting runs even for India ‘A’. Jurel has made a strong case, but there doesn’t seem to be a definite plan regarding his role. And there is no backup opener with Abhimanyu Easwaran inspiring little confidence. This domestic season and the one next year will be hard work for the selectors,” he added.

Jurel leaves everyone impressed

Notably, Dhruv Jurel was the only Indian batter who delivered in the series against South Africa A. He only featured in the second match of the series, but made an incredible impact and went on to score centuries in both the innings. He first played a fabulous knock of 132 in the first innings before going on to remain unbeaten on 127 on the second occasion. Though India A eventually lost the match by five wickets, the 24-year-old's effort with the bat was commendable.

Pant makes highly-anticipated return

The first-class series also saw Rishabh Pant make his much-awaited return to competitive cricket. The wicketkeeper-batter had been on the sidelines since he sustained a toe fracture in the Manchester Test against England in July. Though he got dismissed for 17 in the first innings of the series opener, his knock of 90 on the second occasion played a key role in India A's victory. He also delivered in the second innings of the next match and went on to play a robust knock of 65, helping the team in setting up a formidable target of 417 for the Proteas.