Home
Seasoned in domestic cricket, part of India A for more than seven years, opening batter Abhimanyu Easwaran is still waiting for his moment in the sun. Easwaran is yet to get his maiden Test cap. Players have come and went but Easwaran has been kept on bench. In the multi-day format series against Australia A at home, Easwaran has a chance to showcase his talent to the selectors and not just retain his place in the squad for West Indies series but make his Test debut as well. Amidst disappointments, India A head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar to stay motivated and perform well.
"Abhimanyu is an experienced player. He has captained Bengal and played a lot of cricket at the higher level. So there isn't much need to say a lot to him because he knows how cricket is played," Kanitkar said at a press conference as quoted by ESPNCricinfo before the first game of the series in Lucknow.
"It was not a big challenge to talk to him because he is already prepared. He knows what to do if opportunities don't come. One good thing is that he stays very motivated to challenge himself, push himself, perform well. And if he gets a chance at the higher level, do well there too. He is mentally very strong, prepared, and is also playing well.
"He is batting well. He is in good form and in good touch. He is a very, very good player who has done it [for India A] many times. So I think he is ready for the challenge now. He is in a good place right now in terms of batting and the way managing his cricket."
Easwaran’s first-class record in Lucknow
Easwaran has had a good run in Lucknow, scoring 471 runs from five innings at an average of 117.75, including three centuries. In the Irani Cup 2024 final, he scored 191 runs for Rest of India against Mumbai. But, Mumbai won the trophy on the basis of first innings lead.
Easwaran’s chance to shine
On September 16, Australia A captain Nathan McSweeney won the toss and opted to bat first. With Australia A openers scoring it big, Easwaran will have his work cut out when he walks out to bat.
ADVERTISEMENT
