Abhimanyu Easwaran Shines with Another Century
Abhimanyu Easwaran once again proved his worth on the big stage with a remarkable century in the ongoing Irani Cup. The Bengal opener scored an unbeaten 151, helping Rest of India (RoI) recover from a challenging position. This is Easwaran’s third consecutive first-class century this season, showcasing his outstanding form. His century came just when his team needed it most, as Mumbai posted a massive total of 537 in the first innings.
Easwaran’s century was laced with 12 fours and a six, highlighting his controlled yet aggressive batting. He reached his hundred in just 117 balls, underlining his ability to score quickly without taking unnecessary risks. His innings ensured that RoI closed the third day at 289 for four, reducing the first-innings deficit to 248 runs.
A Vital Knock for Easwaran
For Easwaran, this century couldn’t have come at a better time. The 29-year-old is competing with fellow RoI teammates Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sai Sudharsan for a spot as a reserve opener in India’s Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia. His consistency in domestic cricket continues to make a strong case for his inclusion.
Having led India B in the Duleep Trophy, where he finished second in the run-scoring charts, Easwaran has already scored four centuries this season. This includes a double hundred in the Ranji Trophy earlier this year, solidifying his position as one of the top performers in the domestic circuit.
A Tough Start for RoI
RoI’s innings didn’t start as planned, with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad falling early for just 9. However, Easwaran stood firm, forging crucial partnerships to keep his team in the contest. Sai Sudharsan provided some stability with 32 off 79 balls but couldn’t convert his start into a big score. His dismissal left Easwaran with more responsibility.
Devdutt Padikkal also failed to make a significant impact, managing only 16 off 31 balls. Mumbai’s pacer Mohit Avasthi was particularly effective, dismissing both Padikkal and Sudharsan to put RoI under pressure.
Key Partnerships Hold RoI Together
Despite the early setbacks, Easwaran anchored the innings with patience and skill. He built three important partnerships that helped RoI claw their way back into the game. First, he added 87 runs with Sudharsan for the second wicket. After Sudharsan’s dismissal, Ishan Kishan came in and added 70 more runs alongside Easwaran. Kishan made a fluent 38 off 60 balls before falling to Avasthi.
Easwaran’s most recent partnership came with wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, who scored a quick 30 off 41 balls. Together, they added 61 runs for the fifth wicket, ensuring that RoI stayed in the contest by the end of the third day’s play.
Easwaran’s Consistency in Domestic Cricket
Easwaran’s performance in the domestic circuit has been nothing short of exceptional. Since his breakthrough season in 2018-19, where he scored over 800 runs in the Ranji Trophy, he has consistently been among Bengal’s top run-getters. His impressive form earned him a spot in the standby list for India’s tour of Australia in 2020-21 and the squad for the Test series against England in 2021 and 2022.
Although he has yet to make his debut for India, Easwaran continues to knock on the selectors’ doors with his consistent performances. His ability to score runs under pressure and adapt to different situations makes him a valuable asset for any team.
Mumbai’s First-Innings Dominance
Earlier in the match, Mumbai dominated the first innings, thanks to a brilliant double century from Sarfaraz Khan. His unbeaten 222 guided Mumbai to a commanding total of 537. Sarfaraz’s innings was filled with class and determination, as he held Mumbai’s innings together, despite losing partners at regular intervals.
Ajinkya Rahane also played a key role in Mumbai’s innings, scoring 97 before falling just short of a century. For RoI, Mukesh Kumar was the standout bowler, taking five wickets for 110 runs. He was well supported by Yash Dayal and Prasidh Krishna, who picked up two wickets each.
Conclusion
As the match progresses, RoI will rely heavily on Abhimanyu Easwaran to continue his fine form and guide them closer to Mumbai’s imposing total. With Dhruv Jurel still at the crease, RoI will aim to build a strong lower-order partnership to further reduce the deficit. Easwaran’s century has given RoI a fighting chance, but the team will need to maintain focus and composure in the remaining days to challenge Mumbai’s first-innings total.
With competition for places in the Indian Test squad heating up, Easwaran’s timely hundred is a reminder of his capabilities. His performances in domestic cricket continue to impress, and he remains a strong contender for a place in India’s Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia. Stay updated with the latest from IPL365.
