Abhimanyu Easwaran, the Bengal opener, continued his impressive run of form with a commanding unbeaten century during the Ranji Trophy encounter against Uttar Pradesh in Lucknow. His stellar performance played a crucial role in securing three points for his team in their opening fixture.
After a disappointing first innings where he was dismissed for a mere five runs, Easwaran returned with a renewed sense of purpose in the second innings. His uncharacteristic aggressive approach, coupled with a brilliant 212-run partnership with Sudip Chatterjee, propelled Bengal to a position of dominance on Day 4.
Easwaran’s display of power and precision was particularly evident as he navigated the challenging bounce of the red soil pitch with ease. He meticulously accumulated runs through singles and doubles, while also punishing any loose deliveries from the UP bowlers.
“I was middling the ball well, and the conditions were a little challenging. So, I feel on a wicket like that, it is important to be a little proactive, and it worked out for us. After a good partnership, we wanted to make sure we put up a good score and try and get them out,” Easwaran explained to Sportstar.
Easwaran’s consistent run-scoring form has been nothing short of remarkable. In his last four matches, he has registered centuries, accumulating 309 runs in three Duleep Trophy matches, averaging 77.25, and including two centuries. He continued his impressive run in the Irani Trophy, scoring a magnificent 191 runs in the first innings for the Rest of India, where seven out of the remaining ten batters failed to reach 30 runs.
This consistent run of form can be attributed to the valuable experience he gained while playing for the India A side. Having played 26 matches for India A, he ranks joint-second in appearances, scoring 1,662 runs at an average of 42.61. He also captained the India A team during a series of unofficial Tests against the England Lions in Ahmedabad earlier this year.
“I feel like I’ve learnt a lot from those India A tours. You get to play in different conditions and with and against many international cricketers. So there is a lot of learning there,” he reflected.
Easwaran’s impressive performances have rightfully placed him in contention for a spot in the Indian Test team, particularly as the team prepares for the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Since 2021, Easwaran has been the top-scoring Indian opener in First-Class (FC) cricket, amassing 2,947 runs in 32 matches at an impressive average of 61.39.
His ability to grind out runs and his tenacity at the crease are evident in his dismissal rate of 101.8 balls per dismissal, the best among Indian openers with at least ten FC matches over the last four years.
Despite the growing buzz about a potential call-up to the national side, Easwaran remains focused on his immediate contributions to his team. “I have only been doing what the team has required me to do. My focus is solely on applying myself on the wicket,” said the Dehradun-born batter.
With his impressive run-scoring record and a wealth of experience in red-ball cricket, Easwaran seems well-positioned to make a significant impact on the international stage, should the opportunity present itself.