Debasis Sen, Kolkata
Abhimanyu Easwaran has been a constant in India’s Test squads on overseas tours in recent times. Despite scoring tons of first-class runs, a coveted Test cap remains elusive for the opener from Bengal. On Saturday, this correspondent caught up with the Bengal captain in his New Town apartment with childhood friend Avishek Raman, as the practice session at Eden Gardens was cancelled because of overnight rain. In an exclusive conversation with RevSportz, Abhimanyu opened up on the emotional rollercoaster, his motivation, mental strength, and preparations for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season.
Abhimanyu, you have been part of Indian Test squads since 2021. Still no debut. How do you deal with that?
Abhimanyu: I’m honestly very grateful to be part of the Indian team. Since childhood, it’s been my dream — to wear the Indian jersey, contribute in matches. So, even being part of the squad means a lot. Of course, not getting a chance has been disappointing. Every player wants to be on the field, representing the country. But it’s not something that’s in my control. What I can control is my preparation — working on my game, improving every day, and being 100% ready when the opportunity comes.
How tough is it mentally to be left out from the playing XI?
Abhimanyu: Yes, it does hurt sometimes. You put in all the effort, train hard, and the dream is to be in the middle — to perform, to contribute to wins. But I’m fortunate to have a solid support system: my family, friends, and coach. They help me stay grounded and motivated. Right now, I’m in a good headspace and looking forward to the Ranji season.
Does watching others get an opportunity ahead of you ever demotivate you? How do you keep training with the same intensity?
Abhimanyu: Not really. My biggest motivation is the dream itself — playing for India. That fire is still very much alive. Yes, there are moments of disappointment, but again, selection isn’t in my hands. I focus on my growth. I’ve learned to accept things that are beyond my control and keep working hard so that when the opportunity arises, I’m ready.
Do you take inspiration from those like Michael Hussey who got their chances quite late in their careers and still made the most of it?
Abhimanyu: Absolutely. I’m a big fan of Michael Hussey. Even before his Australia debut, he was consistently scoring in domestic cricket. His journey shows what perseverance can achieve. Even Surya [Suryakumar Yadav] making his India debut after 30 and now leading the team — it’s incredible. Players like them are great examples. So yes, it’s always at the back of my mind — “Why not me?”
Did anyone from the team management — Gautam Gambhir, Shubman Gill, or Rohit Sharma – speak to you about your non-selection?
Abhimanyu: The management has been very supportive. The environment in the team has been positive. During the Australia and England tours, they were always encouraging.
How tough was it to turn up for every training session but still not get picked?
Abhimanyu: It was difficult. But I believe every player has a different journey. You can’t compare yours with someone else’s. I try to enjoy the process and be present in the moment. During the England tour, I did get a chance to field in the final Test at The Oval when Karun got injured. Being on the ground when India won that Test match on the fifth day was a special moment. Those are memories I’ll always cherish.
How do you deal with the mental side of being left out? Any aspects of your game you’re working on in particular?
Abhimanyu: I try to stay focused on things I can control. Work harder, train better. Yes, it feels bad sometimes, but that’s natural. The only solution is to keep improving. I’m working on a couple of new shots this season — I won’t reveal which ones (laughs), but hopefully, they’ll come off well.
What do you do to lift your spirits when you’re down?
Abhimanyu: Playing for India is the biggest motivation. Even when I play for Bengal, I feel immense pride. So that itself lifts me up. I’m also lucky to have a strong support system — my family, close friends, and coach — they’ve always stood by me. I also read and watch a lot of motivational content.
Do you read any books or watch motivational videos that help you in those low phases?
Abhimanyu: Yes, I enjoy watching videos of great sporting comebacks. Sometimes, I watch matches where teams win from hopeless positions — those really inspire me. Right now, I’m reading “The Mamba Mentality” by Kobe Bryant. It’s a great book — very insightful and motivating.
Coming to Bengal cricket — you’re once again leading the state side in the Ranji Trophy. What are your thoughts ahead of the new season?
Abhimanyu: I’m really looking forward to it. We have a strong team, and we’ve come close in the past few seasons — finals, semis. This year, we want to take that final step. Unfortunately, the weather hasn’t been kind. We missed a few practice sessions and couldn’t play the warm-up against Odisha. But the association and ground staff have done a fantastic job. We’ve had good facilities and enough preparation.
Bengal’s fast-bowling unit — with Shami, Akash Deep, Mukesh (once he’s fit) and Ishan Porel is considered among the best in the domestic circuit. Your thoughts?
Abhimanyu: Yes, I believe our fast-bowling attack is the best in the country. In both the recent Ranji finals, our pace attack played a major role. In fact, in one season, no team crossed 250 against us until the final — that’s a huge stat in domestic cricket. We’re confident that our bowlers will deliver again this season.
The batting department with you, Anustup, Sudip, Abhishek looks strong too. Looking forward to taking on the leadership again?
Abhimanyu: Absolutely. I’m excited. It’s always a proud feeling to lead Bengal. Personally, I’ve been batting well. It’s just about converting starts into big scores. I’m looking forward to contributing as a captain and senior batter.
Finally, any specific goals for the season?
Abhimanyu: Right now, the focus is just on the first game against Uttarakhand. We’re playing two home games to start with. The goal is to take it one match at a time, collect points, and build momentum.
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