Abhimanyu Easwaran might not be a household name internationally, but in India’s domestic cricket circles he’s a run-scoring colossus. This right-handed Bengal opener has piled up mountains of runs season after season, patiently waiting for his turn to don the India cap. Despite topping batting charts and captaining at the India A level, Easwaran remains on the sidelines of the national team – a tale of talent, toil, and tenacity that’s as intriguing as any cricket underdog story.
In this article, we’ll explore the facets of Abhimanyu Easwaran’s journey that often get overlooked – from a cricket academy his father built in his name to his staggering consistency in domestic cricket, his leadership stints, the mental fortitude behind his long wait, and how the IPL factor and perceptions have influenced his career. Let’s dive into the life of this unsung run-machine and discover what makes him the standout domestic cricket talent on the verge of breaking into Team India.
Leadership and Learning from the Greats
It’s not just runs that define Abhimanyu Easwaran’s cricketing journey – leadership and learning have been integral themes as well. He has captained Bengal in the Ranji Trophy (taking over the reins after the retirement of veteran Manoj Tiwary) and also led India A sides in several fixtures. In fact, he was appointed captain of the India A team for high-profile tournaments like the Duleep Trophy and led East Zone in domestic competitions.
Abhimanyu Easwaran’s Long Wait for the India Cap
For all his exploits in domestic cricket, Abhimanyu Easwaran has found that the step up to India’s national squad is a giant leap. He has come agonizingly close to an international debut on multiple occasions without actually getting the nod. In 2018, after a prolific season, Easwaran was on the verge of selection for India’s Test tour of England.
The IPL Factor and Perceptions
In today’s cricket world, visibility can be as crucial as ability. One curious aspect of Abhimanyu Easwaran’s journey is his relative anonymity to the casual fan – largely because he has never played in the glitzy Indian Premier League (IPL). In an era when a couple of good IPL knocks can catapult a youngster into the national limelight, Easwaran’s absence from the IPL has arguably kept him under the radar.
It’s not for lack of skill – but he’s often seen (perhaps unfairly) as a red-ball specialist, and IPL franchises have tended to overlook him in auctions. Easwaran’s father strongly believes an IPL stint could have fast-tracked his India debut. “Abhimanyu would’ve made his Team India debut long back had he got a chance to showcase his prowess in the IPL. The tournament makes a big difference due to greater visibility,” Ranganathan Easwaran opined bluntly. It’s a valid point – runs in front of packed IPL crowds and millions of TV viewers grab attention in a way quiet Ranji Trophy hundreds do not.
There’s also the perception factor. “People labelled Abhimanyu as a slow batter who can’t smash it big,” says his friend and teammate Aarya Desai, acknowledging the stereotype that might have hurt Easwaran’s T20 opportunities. Indeed, Easwaran’s game is built more on classical strokeplay and accumulation than power-hitting.
He’s the steady opener who drops anchor – more Dravid than Sehwag. In the slam-bang hype of T20, that trait often gets undervalued. However, Easwaran hasn’t let these labels affect him. “He simply refuses to pay heed and focuses on scoring runs,” Desai adds. And score runs he does – even in T20s, Easwaran has a century and a healthy average (nearly 38) in the handful of matches he’s played, proving he can adapt his style when required.
It’s also worth noting that some of Easwaran’s domestic contemporaries who got India chances had IPL exposure which boosted their case. The likes of Shubman Gill or Prithvi Shaw caught eyeballs in youth World Cups or IPL, whereas Easwaran’s merits are known mostly to those following domestic cricket closely. Nevertheless, the winds are shifting.
Test cricket pedigree is coming back in vogue for selectors, and voices like former selector Saba Karim have touted Easwaran as an ideal candidate to open for India in Tests given his technique and temperament. In a sense, Easwaran has been playing the long game – literally and figuratively. The lack of IPL glamour might have delayed his recognition, but it has also kept him focused squarely on the format where he could serve India best: Test cricket. And with the national team looking to groom solid red-ball openers, Easwaran’s old-school virtues might soon become his biggest asset.
