Table of Contents
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recently named Abhimanyu Easwaran as the replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad in the Indian squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa. Gaikwad sustained an injury to his right ring finger during the second ODI against South Africa, ruling him out of the Test series. As India prepares for the Test battles in South Africa after a successful T20I and ODI series, Easwaran steps into the fray.
Abhimanyu Easwaran: A rising star in Indian cricket
Easwaran boasted an impressive cricketing resume, having played 88 first-class matches, accumulating 6567 runs at an average of 47.24, marked by 26 fifties and 22 centuries. Despite being a consistent performer, Easwaran remains relatively unknown to many cricket enthusiasts.
Here are some intriguing facts about this emerging cricket sensation:
1. Early years and cricket beginnings
Easwaran was born on September 6, 1995, in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Abhimanyu’s mother is from Punjab while his father is a Tamilian. His father, Ranganathan Parameshwaran Easwaran worked as a Chartered Accountant and he owned a cricket academy in Dehradun in 1988. He named it Abhimanyu Cricket Academy even before his son’s birth. His professional career kicked off in 2013 when he played for Bengal in a Ranji Trophy match against Uttar Pradesh.
2. List-A and T20 debuts
In 2015, Easwaran made his List-A debut against Madhya Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, showcasing his adaptability to different formats. His T20 debut for Bengal came in the 2016–17 Inter-State Twenty-20 Tournament against Tripura.
3. Ranji Trophy stardom
The breakthrough moment for Easwaran came during the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy season, where he notched up a remarkable 861 runs in just six matches, establishing himself as a premier batsman in the domestic circuit.
4. Duleep Trophy heroics
Riding on his stellar Ranji Trophy performance, Easwaran played a pivotal role in the 2019-20 Duleep Trophy final. His innings of 153 runs not only underscored his batting prowess but also guided India Red to a memorable victory.
5. India A call-up
Easwaran’s consistent performances earned him a place in the India A team in October 2019, providing him exposure to a higher level of competition and showcasing his potential for international cricket.
Also READ: SA vs IND 2023-24: India’s best XI for the first Test against South Africa
6. Dhaka Premier League
Easwaran is also one of the few Indian players who featured in the Dhaka Premier League and has been a top performer for Prime Bank, one of the leading teams in Bangladesh.
7. Standby player in Team India
Recognizing his skills and reliability, Easwaran was named as one of the standby players in India’s Test squads for series against England. His inclusion in the squads for crucial series reflects the selectors’ confidence in his abilities. In December 2022, he was named in the Indian Test squad for the Bangladesh series as the replacement player for Rohit Sharma who suffers a hand injury during the 2nd ODI against Bangladesh.
As Easwaran gears up to represent India in the Test series against South Africa, his journey from domestic stardom to international recognition adds a compelling chapter to Indian cricket’s narrative
