India A head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar has revealed that Abhimanyu Easwaran is highly motivated to push himself and perform in the upcoming series against Australia A.
Despite being a part of the Indian Test set-up for nearly a year now, Easwaran hasn’t made his debut yet. Many players were given opportunities during the England tour, which marked the beginning of a new era for the Indian Test team, but Easwaran was not among them.
“He’s an experienced player. He has captained Bengal and played a lot of senior-level cricket,” Kanitkar told reporters in Lucknow. “So we don’t have to tell him much, because he knows how the game is played and what to do when opportunities are limited.”
India A are set to play two four-day matches against the visiting Australia A side at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, starting Tuesday. These games will be crucial for the players, as contenders aim to make a strong case for selection in next month’s home series against the West Indies. Easwaran will be one of many contenders, looking to retain his place in the Test squad.
“The good thing is that he’s very motivated to push himself, perform well, and seize any opportunity that comes his way. He’s mentally strong and well-prepared,” Kanitkar added.
A prolific run-scorer in domestic cricket, Easwaran has amassed 7,841 runs in 103 first-class matches at an average of 48.70.
Against Australia A, he will be eager to score heavily in order to keep his Test debut hopes alive.
Last October, Easwaran struck two centuries in Lucknow: one for Rest of India in the Irani Cup against Mumbai, and another for Bengal against Uttar Pradesh in a Ranji Trophy match. His fond memories of playing in Lucknow could serve him well against Australia A.
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