Abhimanyu Easwaran Says Dream of Playing for India Remains Alive

Abhimanyu Easwaran remains determined to fulfil his dream of representing India despite repeated omissions from the national squad. The 31-year-old Bengal batter continues to perform in domestic cricket, hoping his consistent run-scoring will eventually earn him an international debut.

Easwaran was part of India's Test squad during the 2025 tour of England but has not been selected since, with selectors opting for younger batters as backup opening options.

Speaking after scoring 56 for Bengal against Services in the second round of the Ranji Trophy 2026-27, Easwaran admitted that being dropped after earning a place in the squad can raise questions, but he has learned to accept the challenges that come with professional cricket.

He said his ambition to play for India remains unchanged, adding that his focus is on performing consistently for whichever team he represents.

Easwaran has enjoyed a promising start to the domestic season, registering two half-centuries for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy before scoring 34 and an unbeaten 34 against Delhi in Bengal's opening Ranji Trophy match.

His record for India A is particularly impressive. In 51 innings, he has accumulated 1,909 runs at an average of 38.18, including six centuries and seven half-centuries. He leads the India A charts for both runs and centuries, although he remains among the leading run-scorers who are yet to make their Test debuts.

However, his opportunities at the India A level have also diminished. After scoring a pair against South Africa A in November 2025, he was left out of subsequent squads and was also not included in the Rest of India team for the Irani Cup.

Despite these setbacks, Easwaran remains focused on his responsibilities as Bengal's captain. He described representing his state as a privilege and emphasised that his immediate objective is to help the team win the Ranji Trophy.

Bengal began their 2026-27 Ranji Trophy campaign with a nine-wicket victory over Delhi before facing Services on a challenging, spin-friendly pitch in Palam, where Easwaran top-scored with 56.

Bengal reached the semi-finals last season but lost to eventual champions Jammu and Kashmir. Easwaran and his team will now look to go one step further this season.

For the experienced opener, the goal of playing for India remains firmly alive, while his immediate priority is to deliver consistent performances and lead Bengal towards domestic success.

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