Abhimanyu Easwaran, a prolific domestic cricketer with an impressive first-class record, has been waiting for years to break into India’s Test playing XI. Despite multiple call-ups since 2022 and consistent run-scoring in prestigious domestic tournaments, he has yet to make his Test debut. The ongoing ENG vs IND Test series has brought this issue into sharp focus, as Easwaran continues to warm the bench while others, including recent debutants and comeback players, take the field. In a rare and candid outburst, Easwaran’s father, Ranganathan Easwaran, has publicly expressed his frustration with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and its selectors, questioning the fairness and criteria used for Test team selections.
Abhimanyu Easwaran’s father blasts India team management
Ranganathan spoke to the Times of India and other media outlets, emphasizing just how long his son has waited without seizing an opportunity. “I am not keeping a count of the number of days; I am counting the years. It has been three years now,” he lamented.
His core argument is simple and direct: Abhimanyu’s job as a batter is to score runs, and he has been doing exactly that. With over 7,800 runs in more than 100 first-class matches at an average close to 49, including 27 centuries and consistent performances in top domestic tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and Irani Trophy, Easwaran’s credentials seem unquestionable. Yet, he remains sidelined.
Ranganathan highlighted a critical point of contention—how his son’s performance stacks up against other players like Karun Nair, who has been preferred by selectors despite not featuring in certain key domestic competitions during the period Abhimanyu excelled.
“Karun wasn’t picked for the Duleep Trophy or the Irani Trophy. Abhimanyu scored close to 864 runs if you consider the period from last year to this year. Then how do they compare? I don’t understand,” he added. The father’s frustration is compounded by the perception that some players’ IPL performances are given undue weight while selecting for Tests, which, according to him, should primarily be based on traditional first-class cricket performance.
The invisible struggles of Abhimanyu
Beyond statistical comparisons, Ranganathan shed light on the psychological impact of the prolonged wait on his son. “My son looks a little depressed, but that is bound to happen when you have been overlooked so many times,” he revealed.
Coaching and preparation have been meticulous, with Abhimanyu training specifically to handle different conditions, including English pitches and spin bowling strategies in recent series. His father revealed how their training regimen involves waking up early, facing pacers, and even using specialized surfaces to mimic English conditions.
Despite these efforts and consistent domestic performances, Abhimanyu’s lack of IPL exposure is seen as a significant handicap in the current Indian selection framework, which highly values visibility and star power from the premier T20 league. Ranganathan harshly criticised this approach, underscoring that IPL performances should not influence selection for the longest format of the game. Instead, the Ranji, Duleep, and Irani trophies must form the cornerstone of Test selections.
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