Abhimanyu Easwaran has long been a quintessential first-class cricket virtuoso whose technical finesse and unwavering temperament mark him as one of India’s most reliable red-ball prospects. Despite years of stellar domestic performances and near misses at international selection, Easwaran remains motivated and ready to seize any opportunity, embodying the old-school grit that modern cricket often eschews.
Formidable Domestic Stalwart with Exceptional Consistency
Easwaran’s recent form has been nothing short of exceptional. The 2024-25 domestic season saw him craft a series of imposing centuries—including a monumental unbeaten double hundred and multiple scores above 150, highlighted by a commanding 191 in the Irani Cup. Over 100 first-class matches, he has amassed over 7,674 runs at an impressive average hovering around 48.87, comprising 27 centuries and 29 fifties[2][1]. These numbers underscore his ability to not only anchor innings but build long, match-defining knocks.
His List A record also commands respect, tallying over 3,850 runs at an average of 47.04 with nine centuries and 23 half-centuries, proving his adaptability beyond the longest format[1]. Even in T20 cricket—where traditional techniques often yield to brute power—Easwaran has maintained a strike rate close to 129, along with a century and five fifties from 34 games[1]. This blend of classical technique and moderate strike capability reflects his all-format competence, though his true strength lies in red-ball cricket.
Tactical Strengths: Technique, Temperament, and Adaptability
Easwaran’s batting is marked primarily by textbook technique and a rock-solid defensive game, enabling him to absorb pressure and frustrate bowlers relentlessly. His style is anchored in precise footwork and a compact bat swing, helping him negotiate quality pace and spin alike. This foundation allows Easwaran to build innings patiently, often transitioning from watchful caution to controlled aggression as the situation demands.
India A coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar recently noted that Easwaran “knows what to do if opportunities don’t come” and stays highly motivated to challenge himself, a testament to his mental resilience after years on the fringes of Test selection[Source]. This mental toughness—a vital trait for an opening batsman facing the new ball—is complemented by a tactical awareness that enables him to accelerate partnerships and disrupt bowling plans when the moment arises.
Moreover, Easwaran’s leg-break bowling, though a secondary skill, adds subtle value in the lower order[3]. While bowling isn’t a primary focus, this ability offers captains an additional strategic option during tight situations.
Head-to-Head and Benchmarking Against Peers
Within the India A set-up, Easwaran stands out as one of the top run-scorers historically, his aggregate and century count eclipsed only by Gautam Gambhir, another classical opener who transitioned successfully to Test cricket[1]. The head-to-head comparison with contemporaries vying for the same opening spots often highlights Easwaran’s superior first-class workload and consistent output, though his lack of IPL exposure and flashy white-ball credentials has sometimes kept him overshadowed in a cricketing environment that increasingly values multi-format dynamism.
Despite this, selectors have persistently acknowledged his value, including naming him captain of the India A squad during their 2024 tour against the England Lions and later drafting him into the Indian Test squad for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour of Australia[3]. These nods suggest growing recognition of his potential to stabilize India’s opening partnership in the longer format.
Impact and Future Outlook
Easwaran’s perseverance and refined craft have positioned him as a vital cog in India’s Test strategy, especially as the team seeks technically sound and mentally composed openers for overseas tours on challenging wickets. His proven ability to bat long sessions and build innings can serve as the perfect foil for attacking partners and ease pressure on the middle order.
As Shubman Gill leads India into a fresh era, Easwaran’s inclusion in the squad for the England series in 2025 represents a critical opportunity. If capitalized upon, Easwaran could finally translate his extensive first-class excellence into sustained international success, offering India a dependable, classical foil at the top of the order in an age crowded with explosive but sometimes temperamental batsmen[4].
Conclusion
Abhimanyu Easwaran is the embodiment of patient mastery and resilience in Indian cricket’s modern context. His technical clarity, mental fortitude, and impeccable domestic track record underscore why he continues to be a major contender for India’s Test batting spots. More than just a story of “almost,” Easwaran’s career promises a blueprint for how grit and classical technique can still pave the way at the highest level. With the right breaks and opportunities, he may soon convert his perennial promise into a defining presence on the international stage.
Source: www.espncricinfo.com