Abhimanyu Easwaran
India’s much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22, with the first Test match set to unfold at the Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia.
While this is always a battle between cricketing giants in the form of India and Australia, it is also a moment of great history for Indian young cricketer Abhimanyu Easwaran, who is going to play his first game in India’s starting lineup.
The road that led him to this point has had grit, perseverance, dedication, and a simply obsessive desire for perfection. Thus, Easwaran’s inclusion in the Indian cricket team is a reward for his consistent performances in domestic cricket, and making his debut in the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be one of the most memorable milestones of his career.
Early Years: Building the Foundation
Abhimanyu Easwaran was born on September 6, 1995, in the city of Howrah, West Bengal. Easwaran, ever eager to grasp cricket, from an early age, showed so much promise in the top-order batting department. He witnessed his first brick to Indian colors in the by-lanes of Kolkata under the watchful eyes of his family and local coaches.
This boy with a bat in hand was known for his excellent technical prowess, sharp cricketing brain, and his commitment towards constant learning. He grew up training in the respected academies of Kolkata, and soon was picked by selectors at the state level due to his performances.
Easwaran played his first match for Bengal in the 2013-14 domestic season for the iconic Ranji Trophy. He did stand out from the rest due to his patience and precision in longer formats of the game, and years of consistency helped him earn a reputation as being one of the most reliable batsmen in Indian domestic cricket.
Easwaran was always viewed as a player with great temperament and the ability to adapt to varying conditions, a quality that would serve him well as he sought a place in India’s national team.
The Steady Rise: A Consistent Performer in Domestic Cricket
Gradual but undeniable growth across all domestic cricket – Abhimanyu Easwaran. He was not flashy at first, but his technique quickly grabbed a spot in the hearts of fans at Bengal, as he established himself as an anchor in the longer version of the game.
He showed some outstanding seasons in the Ranji Trophy, contributing to Bengal’s batting lineup with valuable centuries and match-winning innings.
One of Easwaran’s most notable achievements came in the 2017-18 Ranji season, where he tallied over 900 runs for Bengal. Among those was a record 140 against Assam. This performance marked him to the national selectors, and his pressure and scoreboard temperament was well seen.
His display in the 2018-19 Ranji season was particularly stellar as he topped the numbers with more than 1,000 runs and an average over 60, clearly making it evident that Easwaran is the future.
For his performances in domestic cricket, he got a call-up into India A, where he continued to amaze. Easwaran’s consistent form at this level, with huge performances, particularly in the multi-day format, showed he was capable of handling pressure and playing long innings.
His technique, especially overseas, was becoming increasingly well-regarded and furthered his case in the national squad.
Playing for India A: The Final Push Towards Selection
Before being called up to the senior team, Abhimanyu Easwaran represented India A in several tours, including stints against strong teams like the West Indies A and New Zealand A. Playing in these high-pressure, competitive environments allowed Easwaran to showcase his skills and gain experience in varying conditions. His ability to perform consistently in these matches played a crucial role in pushing him closer to a national call-up.
His performances against top-class opposition in both home and away conditions only proved to further strengthen his claim. Easwaran’s technique and temperament were well evident in trying overseas conditions when he quickly adjusted to the swinging ball, something that would stand him in good stead for his upcoming debut against Australia. Ability to play the fast bowlers, especially in testing overseas conditions, marked him as a reliable option in India’s top-order.
The Big Break: Debut for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Abhimanyu Easwaran’s hard work finally bears fruit as he is named for India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023-24 squad as Rohit Sharma will not be available for the first Test in Perth following a spate of injuries. The call-up was an inevitable outcome of his consistent performances and showings to adapt to the demands of playing international cricket.
The reason for Rohit Sharma’s absence from the series opener owing to a family emergency will probably see India’s opening slot go to Easwaran, alongside KL Rahul, who has had his fair share of injury problems as well.
The Perth Test match, surely one of the tougher ones, is going to be really challenging for India, with Australia being an invincible force at home and a fast, bouncy pitch at Optus Stadium. Easwaran will have to be on top of his game to negotiate the stiff bowling skills of the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon.
Easwaran’s Strength: A classical batsman meant for the big stage
Abhimanyu Easwaran is a player with a tad of classical technique reminiscent of some of the great batsmen who have done well in the longer formats. He has lots of solid defense, good timing, and an unflappable temperament under pressure.
Easwaran has sound technique against pace and spin with an emphasis on playing the ball late, particularly to fast bowlers. His composed approach towards batting makes him a key asset in challenging conditions, especially in Test cricket.
Easwaran’s ability to bat long and grind out runs will be crucial in the Test series against Australia, where patience and resilience are often tested. His temperament to play the long innings in foreign conditions has already been seen in his performances for India A and Bengal. The ability to not only survive but thrive in difficult conditions is what sets Easwaran apart as a player with a great future.
Facing Australia: The Challenge of a Lifetime
Easwaran’s first Border-Gavaskar Trophy match against Australia will be a challenge to remember. Australia’s fast and furious bowling attack, led by Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, will challenge his technical skills and mental robustness.
The Optus Stadium pitch is famous for its speed and bounce, making this an even greater challenge to the already tough test.
However, Easwaran’s calm approach to batting and his years of preparation in domestic cricket and for India A put him in a good position to succeed. His performances in similar conditions against high-quality opposition will serve as a source of confidence.
The first Test match at Optus Stadium will not only be a test of Easwaran’s abilities but also his character. The young opener is set to watch on the nation while he tries to step into the shoes of the seasoned Rohit Sharma and make an immediate impact for India in one of cricket’s most fiercely contested series.
Conclusion: The Future of Indian Cricket
The rise of Abhimanyu Easwaran from Indian domestic cricket to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is one such story that epitomizes resilience and hard work. He has slowly earned his place in the squad with years of consistent performances and adaptation of challenges through Indian and international cricket.
His first game will, of course be a defining day in his career, and even if he does not click immediately, Easwaran’s presence in the squad tells volumes about the depth of talent in Indian cricket.
While India prepares for a challenging series in Australia, there will obviously be the established stars like Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin. Then come the promising talents such as Abhimanyu Easwaran. Whether he can withstand the pressure of big-time cricket will be something to watch for during this series.
