Sourav Ganguly Remains Stand On Abhimanyu Easwaran's Test Career

Abhimanyu Easwaran has been a member of the Indian Test team for many years now but he still waits for his inaugural outing in the playing eleven. The Bengal skipper has been making ends meet by carrying drinks and standing in the dugout since his initial call-up during the 2021-22 season. Both Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair fought during the just concluded five match Test series against England but still were left out by the team management despite struggling with the important number three slot. This move shocked many cricket fanatics and pundits alike and also left his father greatly disappointed.

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has now come out in full support of Easwaran and is sure that the promising batter would be given his chance soon. During an event in Kolkata Ganguly made it apparent that the number three position in the present Indian Test team is yet to be settled and someone like Easwaran could be the best man to take up the slot. Ganguly mentioned that Easwaran has age to his advantage and that it is just a matter of time before he gets his much awaited debut. According to him, Easwaran once given a fair chance will be able to solidify his position in the team. Ganguly indicated that the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal KL Rahul Shubman Gill Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja have all run for India but number three still appears weak thus making Easwaran an option.

Easwaran's situation is all the more remarkable given that since his initial call-up to the national team as many as fifteen other players have been given their Test debut while he has persistently stayed on the bench. His father Ranganathan Easwaran did not make any attempt to conceal his frustration in a recent interview. He said that his son worked day and night for more than two decades and earned his position through regular performances in domestic cricket. Abhimanyu has played 103 first class matches and has scored 7841 runs with a huge average of 48.70. This involves a lot of innings where he has kept the team together when the team was under pressure which according to his father makes him well prepared to play a challenging position like number three.

Ranganathan Easwaran mentioned that Gautam Gambhir had once talked to his son and assured him that when the opportunity arises he would be given a fair run with the team and not dropped after one or two matches. He said the coaching staff also gave similar assurances. For Abhimanyu the wait has now stretched to four long years and yet he continues to prepare himself with the same dedication and focus. His father believes that the selectors missed an opportunity in the recent series against England to test him in place of Sudharsan whose scores of 0 30 61 and 0 showed inconsistency.

In the view of Ranganathan his son is not only technically equipped but also possesses the mental temperament to construct long innings. He noted that nearly thirty percent of Abhimanyu's domestic matches have been staged at Eden Gardens a ground famous for its green tracks. Regular playing on such tough pitches has provided him with precious exposure to dealing with swing and seam which is so important in international cricket particularly in away tours. The statistics indicate that he has the ability to adjust and anchor the innings together which is precisely what India requires in the number three position.

Though Ganguly's support has given additional prominence to Easwaran's cause the last word is still with the selectors and the team management. Cricket enthusiasts have witnessed many times when deserving players have to wait for years only to be given a chance finally. In Easwaran's instance the frustration cannot be denied since he has been regular in domestic cricket and has already been around the Indian dressing room for ages. The absence of a debut after being on tours and in the team several times has turned his tale into one of the most discussed selection controversies in recent history.

The proponents of Easwaran point out that the side requires stability at number three particularly in the wake of retirement of Cheteshwar Pujara who was the rock in that slot for years. Plugging this gap is critical if India are to succeed in Test cricket and a person like Easwaran with a successful background in domestic cricket may be the solution. They also feel that giving him a decent chance will not only try his mettle at the highest level but also provide the team with a reliable option for the future.

Ganguly's words have lent strength to these contentions. As a past skipper and BCCI president his view counts and may force the selectors to reward Easwaran with the break he has been seeking. Ganguly is well aware of the significance of the number three position from personal experience and knows the temperament one needs in order to thrive in that spot. His endorsement indicates that he believes Easwaran possesses those traits.

For the time being Easwaran keeps training hard and waiting for the call that can alter his career. His is both a reflection of the hardships and the endurance needed to be successful at the top. While most players may have abandoned ship following constant exclusions, Easwaran's perseverance reveals his faith in himself. If he finally gets an opportunity and does well it will not only vindicate Ganguly's trust but also bring into focus the need to support consistent domestic run-getters in the national team.