In the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2024, Abhimanyu Easwaran once again proved why he’s considered one of the most consistent performers in domestic cricket. Leading India B, the Bengal cricketer played a captain’s knock, scoring an unbeaten 135 runs in the crucial match against India C. This remarkable inning, which came off 237 balls, marks Easwaran’s 34th century in domestic cricket. Despite his repeated outstanding performances, the 28-year-old batsman is yet to don the Indian jersey at the international level.
An Impressive Domestic Career, but No International Debut
Abhimanyu Easwaran has been a mainstay in the domestic circuit for years, racking up impressive numbers across formats. He has played in 96 first-class matches, scoring over 7,000 runs with an average of more than 47. This includes 24 centuries and 29 half-centuries, a testament to his reliability with the bat. In List A cricket, his performance is equally commendable, with 3847 runs at an average of 47.49, including nine centuries. While his T20 career is more modest, with 976 runs at an average of 37.53, Easwaran’s strength lies in the longer formats of the game.
Despite his consistent domestic performances, Easwaran has never been given a chance to make his international debut for Team India. He was selected in the Indian Test squad on multiple occasions, most recently for the 2022 Bangladesh tour, but has always remained on the sidelines as a replacement. His patience and continued hard work, however, show his determination to eventually earn that elusive debut cap.
A Tough Match for Star Batsmen
In the same match where Easwaran shone, some of his more celebrated teammates had a tough time. Mushir Khan, a young wicketkeeper-batsman, managed just 1 run, while his brother, Sarfaraz Khan, could only contribute 16 runs. Rinku Singh, known for his explosive batting, fell cheaply after scoring just 6 runs, and Nitish Reddy couldn’t do much either, getting out for 2. Easwaran’s steady presence at the crease, amidst the failures of these prominent names, highlights his importance and the responsibility he carries for his team.
A Waiting Game for Easwaran and Team India?
With a strong domestic track record and performances like this one in the Duleep Trophy, many are left wondering when the Indian selectors will finally give Abhimanyu Easwaran his well-deserved chance. While other players have earned Test debuts after shorter stints in domestic cricket, Easwaran has been waiting in the wings for quite some time. His inclusion in the national squad but exclusion from the playing XI has raised eyebrows in the cricketing fraternity. Given his remarkable consistency, it feels like only a matter of time before he finally gets to represent India on the international stage.
The question now is, how much longer will Abhimanyu Easwaran have to wait? Will his latest century be enough to catch the attention of the selectors, or will he continue to remain a stalwart of domestic cricket? Fans and analysts alike are keeping a close eye on his journey, hoping that the selectors will recognize the immense talent and perseverance he brings to the game.
