NEW DELHI: Former India off spinner R Ashwin has brought Abhimanyu Easwaran back into the spotlight with a pointed comment on the batter’s continued absence from the national Test side.
His remarks have added fuel to an already heated debate, as fans and analysts question why a consistent left hand opener with years of domestic excellence still waits on the fringes.
“Abhimanyu Easwaran scored a hundred in T20 also now. Now we can get to see him for sure. Given that he has now scored runs in T20, for sure we will get to see him in the Test team,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
In a follow up remark, he highlighted the irony behind the current selection lens.
“Sometimes it feels like a batter has to prove the wrong things for the right format,” he said.
Despite being included in India’s Test squads several times, Easwaran has never been handed a debut. He has travelled with touring parties, participated in training sessions and waited patiently for an opening, only to see others picked ahead of him.
Easwaran’s name surfaces every season when domestic numbers are discussed. The Bengal batter has been one of the most reliable performers in red ball cricket, scoring heavily in the Ranji Trophy and maintaining an impressive level of consistency.
Across 109 first class appearances, he has compiled 8136 runs at an average of 47.85, making him one of the most successful openers in the circuit.
A rare burst of T20 fire
This season, Easwaran briefly shifted that perception. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he smashed a stunning 130 off 66 balls against Punjab, an innings that showcased an aggression he is not usually associated with. Though Bengal fell short in the match, the knock forced many to revisit conversations around his adaptability and range.
