Despite being one of the most consistent performers in domestic cricket, Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran has once again been dropped from Team India’s squad for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies, starting October 2. The former India A captain, who has 27 centuries to his name in first-class cricket, has carried drinks for the national team on multiple occasions but is yet to make his long-awaited international debut.
Easwaran first earned a call-up to the Indian Test squad in 2022 during the Bangladesh tour. Since then, he has traveled with the team to Australia and England, but each time he found himself confined to the role of a reserve opener, serving water and practicing in the nets while senior batters secured the playing spots. Even during India’s recent home series against England, where he was part of the squad, Easwaran did not feature in the playing XI across all five Tests.
Earlier this year, he captained India A on their England tour and impressed with 167 runs in two unofficial Tests, including two half-centuries. Many expected his consistency to finally earn him a debut cap, but the selectors opted for Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Rohit Sharma at the top of the order, leaving him on the sidelines yet again.
Explaining the decision, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar said that squad balance played a key role. “On overseas tours, we usually carry a third opener. For this home series, with only 15 slots available, we felt an additional spin option in Axar Patel was more important. KL Rahul and Jaiswal are doing well, and if we need Abhimanyu, he’s always available. He has performed very well in domestic cricket,” Agarkar clarified.
Easwaran’s domestic numbers highlight his consistency. In 104 first-class matches, he has scored 7,885 runs at an impressive average of 48.67, with 27 centuries and 31 fifties. In List A cricket, he has 3,857 runs from 89 matches at an average of 47.03, including nine centuries and 23 half-centuries. Yet, despite these staggering statistics, the wait for his India debut continues.
