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In a significant statement during a period of transition for India’s Test team, former captain Sourav Ganguly has strongly endorsed Bengal’s Abhimanyu Easwaran for the unsettled No. 3 batting position. Ganguly’s comments come at a crucial time, with the team facing a search for a dependable middle-order batter and a number of players having been tried in the role without success. His public backing provides a powerful voice of support for a player who has consistently knocked on the doors of international cricket but has been repeatedly overlooked.
Abhimanyu Easwaran’s long wait and strong domestic credentials
Easwaran, at 28 years old, has established himself as a dominant force in domestic cricket, yet his long-awaited Test debut remains elusive. With an impressive record of 7,841 runs in 103 first-class matches at an average of 48.70, including 27 centuries, Easwaran’s consistency has been well-documented. He has been a regular on India’s overseas tours, including to Australia and England, but has often been relegated to the bench.
A striking example of this occurred during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, where he was sidelined in favor of KL Rahul for the opening slot when Rohit Sharma was unavailable. The situation has become a point of contention, with his father publicly expressing frustration over his son’s persistent snub, despite promises from the team management.
In a particularly telling comment, he quoted head coach Gautam Gambhir, who had reportedly assured Easwaran, “I’m not the one who will push you out after one or two matches. I’ll give you a long rope.” As a regular leader for the India ‘A’ side and a recent captain for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy, Easwaran has not only piled up runs but has also demonstrated strong leadership qualities, making his case for an India cap all the more compelling.
Sourav Ganguly’s vision for the fragile No. 3 slot
Ganguly’s analysis of the current Indian Test team points to one clear area of concern: the No. 3 batting position. In his own words, Ganguly articulated his belief, stating, “He has age on his side. I still believe he will get his chance. I feel batters like Yashasvi, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, have all got runs. It’s only the No.3 slot that looked a bit fragile. Maybe Easwaran will be tried there.” This observation is well-supported by the performances of the players recently tried in that role.
During the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, the management rotated between Sudharsan and Karun, but neither managed to secure the spot with a convincing performance. Sudharsan struggled, scoring just 140 runs in six innings at a meager average of 23.33, with two ducks. Similarly, Karun, despite a decent average of 25.62 with 205 runs from eight innings, failed to convert his starts into meaningful contributions. This inconsistency at the top of the order, according to Ganguly, creates a perfect opportunity for a player of Easwaran’s caliber to step in and provide the much-needed stability. With crucial home Test series against West Indies and South Africa on the horizon, strong performances in domestic cricket could finally open the door for Easwaran to claim the position that a cricketing legend believes he is destined for.
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