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 Abhimanyu Easwaran 

Abhimanyu Easwaran, a 29-year-old opening batsman from Bengal, has emerged as a promising prospect for India’s Test squad. With over a decade of experience in domestic cricket, he has become a standout performer, known for his discipline and old-school batting style. Though he has been in and out of India’s Test squad in recent times, his consistent form and perseverance have kept him on the radar. In the absence of captain Rohit Sharma, who will miss parts of India’s upcoming five-match Test series in Australia, Easwaran has positioned himself as a strong candidate to step in as an opener. He is already in Australia, gearing up for two India A matches before the Tests, and by the time the series begins, he will have completed 100 first-class games—an impressive milestone that underscores his experience and resilience.

Easwaran’s journey to this point has been far from easy. After years of dedication in the domestic circuit, he has amassed more than 7,600 runs in first-class cricket with a near 50 average. This record speaks to his consistency and adaptability, which are crucial qualities for a Test opener. His recent performances have been particularly noteworthy, especially his runs in high-stakes domestic games. In October 2024, he scored a brilliant 191 off 292 balls against Mumbai in the Irani Cup in Lucknow, showcasing his ability to stay at the crease for extended periods and accumulate runs through methodical shot selection. This inning was just one highlight in a series of strong performances, as Easwaran has registered a century in each of his last four first-class matches. Starting with scores of 157* and 116 in the Duleep Trophy, he continued his form with 191 in the Irani Cup before scoring an unbeaten 127 in the Ranji Trophy opener against Uttar Pradesh. His range of opponents and consistency across matches indicate his readiness for the international stage, and his recent form likely contributed to his selection over younger contenders like B Sai Sudharsan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Devdutt Padikkal.

Beyond his ability to score runs, Easwaran’s temperament sets him apart. He exhibits the patience and grit associated with traditional openers, an invaluable trait against quality bowling attacks. If selected, he will face experienced Australian bowlers, including Test regulars like Scott Boland, Michael Neser, and Todd Murphy, during the ‘A’ series. Adapting to their pace, bounce, and variations will be a vital test of his technique and mental resilience, but Easwaran has shown a knack for rising to such challenges in domestic cricket. His exposure to Australia’s conditions in the warm-up matches will be an additional advantage, allowing him to acclimate to the pitches in Perth and Adelaide, where India will play some of their Test matches.

The Indian team management is likely to be confident in Easwaran’s abilities and mental preparation, thanks to his body of work in domestic cricket and his run of high scores. His selection is not just a reward for his perseverance but also an acknowledgment of the qualities he brings as a batsman who can anchor an innings and adapt his game to different match situations. If given the opportunity to open in the Test series, he will have the chance to translate his domestic success onto the international stage, potentially cementing his place as a valuable backup opener for India in the longer format of the 

game.