Indian Test cricket’s long-standing fringe player Abhimanyu Easwaran showcased his resilience and determination in the second-round Duleep Trophy match against India-C at the Rural Development Trust (RDT) Stadium B-ground.
Easwaran, who has often been on the cusp of Test selection, anchored his team’s innings with a gritty 143 (262b, 12×4, 1×6) on Saturday. His unbeaten knock helped India-B end the third day on 309 for seven, still 216 runs behind India-C’s first-innings total of 525.
Easwaran’s innings was a testament to his patience and ability to grind out runs in challenging conditions. He shared a 129-run opening partnership with N. Jagadeesan (70), who was caught behind off medium-pacer Anshul Kamboj.
However, India-B’s progress was hampered by a middle-order collapse. Musheer Khan and Sarfaraz Khan fell cheaply to Kamboj, while Rinku Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy were dismissed by Kamboj and Markande, respectively.
Kamboj emerged as the star performer for India-C, claiming a five-wicket haul. His incisive bowling put India-B under pressure and restricted their scoring rate.
Despite the setbacks, Easwaran remained unyielding at the crease. He brought up his 24th first-class hundred off 178 balls, displaying his unwavering focus and determination.
Easwaran’s innings was a reminder of his potential and the value he can bring to the Indian Test team. His ability to bat for long periods and anchor the innings could prove invaluable in the future.
