Latest news with #Easwaran
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
IND A vs ENG A: Abhimanyu Easwaran disappoints; Karun Nair hits fifty
Abhimanyu Easwaran missed a critical opportunity to stake his claim as India's next Test opener, following Rohit Sharma's recent retirement. The 29-year-old, known for his consistent performances in domestic cricket and India A tours, was included both in the India A squad as captain and in the senior Test squad for the England series. With Rohit stepping away from the format and Virat Kohli also unavailable, the selectors opted for someone with solid international exposure. Easwaran, having toured countries like South Africa, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, seemed a fitting candidate. Underwhelming Start Against England Lions However, in the first warm-up game against England Lions, Easwaran underperformed. Batting first, he managed just 8 runs before falling to left-arm pacer Josh Hull. Early in his innings, Easwaran displayed composure, leaving deliveries outside off and playing a few overs cautiously. He even punished Hull with a couple of boundaries off the backfoot, indicating a promising start. But Hull quickly adapted his line and length. Bowling fuller and targeting the stumps, he managed to trap Easwaran in front. The India A skipper was late in reacting and was adjudged LBW, ending his innings prematurely. This failure dents Easwaran's hopes of solidifying his spot as Yashasvi Jaiswal's opening partner for the Headingley Test. He still has up to three more opportunities in the series against the Lions to turn things around. If he doesn't make a strong case soon, the team management may look towards KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, or Shubman Gill to fill the vacant opener's slot. Karun Nair begins with a fifty Karun Nair picked up where he left off as his good IPL form seemed to continue in red ball cricket as the batter came in at number 3 and scored a decent fifty off 85 deliveries on the day. He continued to bat and was on 70 runs of 116 balls in the 2nd session.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
'Don't think he's ever going to make India debut': Fans lose patience as contender for Rohit Sharma's Test spot fails
The Indian Test team's preparations for the five-Test England tour are underway, with the A side locking horns in the first of two unofficial Tests against England Lions. While the series carries no official status, its significance couldn't be higher for players vying for spots in the senior side, especially in the wake of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's retirements from Test cricket. On a damp, overcast morning at Chester-le-Street, India A were sent in to bat on a green-tinged wicket tailor-made for seam and swing. The focus was on Abhimanyu Easwaran, the man leading the side and one who is also among the frontrunners to fill the void left by Rohit at the top of the order. But when the opportunity came, Easwaran failed to leave a mark. The Bengal opener, known for his discipline in the longer format, scratched his way to an uncomfortable 8 off 17 balls before edging behind. The innings was neither fluent nor convincing, a missed chance in conditions he was expected to counter. With the new ball hooping around corners, Easwaran's tentative footwork and indecision stood out, and not in the way he'd have hoped. The fans were also disappointed with Easwaran. At the other end, Yashasvi Jaiswal, too, failed to make a mark despite a more assured start, as he departed for 24 off 55 deliveries. The left-hander, already established in India's first-choice XI, blunted the early movement with composure and clarity but nicked one for wicketkeeper James Rew in the 17th over. For India's selectors and team management, this setback from Easwaran comes at a critical juncture. The door to India's Test XI doesn't open often, and when it does, it demands impact. Having waited patiently for a break, the 28-year-old now finds himself under pressure as he awaits the second innings. If he fails to impress again, India may be forced to revisit a familiar option: KL Rahul. Though Rahul has recently batted in the middle order, his experience as an opener may sway the decision-makers back in his favour, especially with challenging English conditions. Rahul has also reportedly urged the BCCI to travel to England ahead of the second multi-day match against England Lions.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Test players hope to understand English conditions in India A's 1st 'Unofficial Test' against Lions
A clutch of frontline Test players, including opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, will be eager to acclimatise to English conditions during India A's first four-day unofficial Test against the England Lions, beginning in Canterbury on Friday (May 30, 2025). Apart from Jaiswal and Nitish, the India A side has Abhimanyu Easwaran, Dhruv Jurel, Karun Nair, pacers Akash Deep and Shardul Thakur who will want to have a feel of the pronounced swing on offer Canterbury, ahead of the Test series against England, starting from June 20. It's imperative too because these players, except Karun, are on their maiden tour to England. It starts with Easwaran. India will require an opener to partner Jaiswal at the pole position after the retirement of Rohit Sharma and a batter at No. 4 slot which was left vacant by Virat Kohli. In the context of an opener, the performance of Easwaran, who has extensive experience in the position through his 101-match-old First-Class career, will come under scrutiny. The Bengal man had come close to breaking into the first eleven on a couple of occasions in the past, but failed to get an eventual look in. Now there is an open space to explore after Rohit's departure and Easwaran will certainly want to produce a stellar effort to lock his place either as an opener or No. 3 in the five-match Test series. The right-hander, who has a compact technique, can be used as No. 3 as well if the selectors want to make KL Rahul the opener. In that case, newly-appointed skipper Shubman Gill can be slotted in at No. 4 Karun's outings too will be in focus after forcing his way back to the India team after eight years on the back of a stellar run in the domestic circuit since the 2023-24 season. The experienced batter is a favourite to find a place in the middle-order, and he also has considerable experience of English conditions while playing County cricket for Northamptonshire. Nitish Reddy was very impressive in the 2024-25 Test series against Australia, having made 298 runs from five Tests at an average of 37 including a gutsy hundred. But the inclusion of Thakur, himself a capable lower-order batter, in the Test squad as well as in the 'A' team is an indication that the Indian management is in the hunt for some more firepower in bowling. Therefore, Reddy will be keen to stay ahead of the competition with a fruitful outing both with bat and ball. Dhruv Jurel, who is also a part of the Test outfit, and Sarfaraz Khan, who missed out on Test selection, will like to keep themselves ready if a call comes their way at some stage of the five-match series. Ishan Kishan, Tanush Kotian, who joined the India squad after R Ashwin's abrupt retirement after the Brisbane Test last year, and Harshit Rana, who made his Test debut against the Aussies, too will be eager to exhibit their skills to remain on the selectors' radar for future needs. Kotian has also been a familiar figure in a few of the 'A' tours in the last year or so. From England's perspective, they will be monitoring the fitness of Jordan Cox after he was ruled out of the recent one-off Test against Zimbabwe with an abdominal muscle injury. The 21-year-old James Rew is the Lions' skipper and he is having a wonderful run in this year's County Championship, averaging 55. Test regulars spinner Rehan Ahmed and all-rounder Chris Woakes are also part of the Lions squad, and the pair hitting some early form is crucial for England. Teams India A: Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (VC) (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Harsh Dubey. England Lions: James Rew (captain), Farhan Ahmed, Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Jordan Cox, Rocky Flintoff, Emilio Gay, Tom Haines, George Hill, Josh Hull, Eddie Jack, Ben McKinney, Dan Mousley, Ajeet Singh Dale, Chris Woakes, Max Holden. Match starts at 2.30pm IST.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Test hopefuls aim to master English conditions in India A's unofficial Test
A clutch of frontline Test players, including opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, will be eager to acclimatise to English conditions during India A's first four-day unofficial Test against the England Lions, beginning here on Friday. Apart from Jaiswal and Nitish, the India A side has Abhimanyu Easwaran, Dhruv Jurel, Karun Nair, pacers Akash Deep and Shardul Thakur who will want to have a feel of the pronounced swing on offer here, ahead of the Test series against England, starting from June 20. It's imperative too because these players, except Karun, are on their maiden tour to England. It starts with Easwaran. India will require an opener to partner Jaiswal at the pole position after the retirement of Rohit Sharma and a batter at No. 4 slot which was left vacant by Virat Kohli. In the context of an opener, the performance of Easwaran, who has extensive experience in the position through his 101-match-old First-Class career, will come under scrutiny. The Bengal man had come close to breaking into the first eleven on a couple of occasions in the past, but failed to get an eventual look in. Now there is an open space to explore after Rohit's departure and Easwaran will certainly want to produce a stellar effort to lock his place either as an opener or No. 3 in the five-match Test series. The right-hander, who has a compact technique, can be used as No. 3 as well if the selectors want to make KL Rahul the opener. In that case, newly-appointed skipper Shubman Gill can be slotted in at No. 4 Karun's outings too will be in focus after forcing his way back to the India team after eight years on the back of a stellar run in the domestic circuit since the 2023-24 season. The experienced batter is a favourite to find a place in the middle-order, and he also has considerable experience of English conditions while playing County cricket for Northamptonshire. Nitish Reddy was very impressive in the 2024-25 Test series against Australia, having made 298 runs from five Tests at an average of 37 including a gutsy hundred. But the inclusion of Thakur, himself a capable lower-order batter, in the Test squad as well as in the 'A' team is an indication that the Indian management is in the hunt for some more firepower in bowling. Therefore, Reddy will be keen to stay ahead of the competition with a fruitful outing both with bat and ball. Dhruv Jurel, who is also a part of the Test outfit, and Sarfaraz Khan, who missed out on Test selection, will like to keep themselves ready if a call comes their way at some stage of the five-match series. Ishan Kishan, Tanush Kotian, who joined the India squad after R Ashwin's abrupt retirement after the Brisbane Test last year, and Harshit Rana, who made his Test debut against the Aussies, too will be eager to exhibit their skills to remain on the selectors' radar for future needs. Kotian has also been a familiar figure in a few of the 'A' tours in the last year or so. From England's perspective, they will be monitoring the fitness of Jordan Cox after he was ruled out of the recent one-off Test against Zimbabwe with an abdominal muscle injury. The 21-year-old James Rew is the Lions' skipper and he is having a wonderful run in this year's County Championship, averaging 55. Test regulars spinner Rehan Ahmed and all-rounder Chris Woakes are also part of the Lions squad, and the pair hitting some early form is crucial for England. Teams (from): India A: Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (VC) (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Harsh Dubey. England Lions: James Rew (captain), Farhan Ahmed, Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Jordan Cox, Rocky Flintoff, Emilio Gay, Tom Haines, George Hill, Josh Hull, Eddie Jack, Ben McKinney, Dan Mousley, Ajeet Singh Dale, Chris Woakes, Max Holden. Match starts at 2.30pm IST.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
IPL deal would've led to India debut for Abhimanyu Easwaran long back: Father Ranganathan
Abhimanyu Easwaran. (Pic Credit - X) India's squad for five-match Test series against England includes Abhimanyu Easwaran , who's been a silent performer over the years in domestic cricket, piling on runs with impressive consistency. The 29-year-old cricketer is yet to make his Team India debut, falling short just when it all seemed certain to click. Easwaran could've been picked in the lineup during the 2018 tour of England, where he led the India-A side. However, Hanuma Vihari was preferred instead by the selectors. Easwaran was further picked in the national squad on four more instances, with India's 2024-25 tour of Australia the most recent of them all. However, Devdutt Padikkal was preferred ahead of the Bengal batter. The upcoming England tour provides a glorious opportunity for Easwaran to end this agonising wait, considering the chance to impress in Rohit Sharma's absence as well as the opportunity to lead India A. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "Abhimanyu would've made his Team India debut long back had he got a chance to showcase his prowess in IPL. The tournament makes a big difference due to greater visibility. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Transform Your Child's Confidence with Our Public Speaking Program Planet Spark Book Now Undo Abhimanyu is not a flamboyant player and doesn't run around the ground after scoring centuries. These things go against him. Abhimanyu has been a solid performer which is evident from his tally of 7,674 runs in 101 first-class matches at an average of 48.87. His experience across conditions in New Zealand, Australia, England and West Indies further sets him apart from other contenders," said Abhimanyu's father Ranganathan Easwaran in an exclusive interaction with India Test squad for England tour: Shubman Gill to lead, Rishabh Pant his deputy The 29-year-old cricketer is following a specialised routine to prepare for English conditions in Dehradun, with express pacers from Delhi bowling tirelessly using duke balls. Who's that IPL player? "Abhimanyu wakes up at 5.30 AM and spends hours facing pacers. We've organised two dozen duke balls to ensure no gap in preparation. He's batting on a green wicket with red soil because the bounce enables him to prepare extensively for English conditions. Abhimanyu is also engaging in specialised training to face spinners on the fourth or fifth day. He is studying every bowler in the English setup to handle every situation," said Ranganathan. Facing the number of disappointments as Abhimanyu can break down the strongest of spirits. However, the Bengal batter continues to battle it out with determination. Well, why wouldn't he, considering he idolises none other than 'The Wall' Rahul Dravid. "Abhimanu says, 'Not selecting me results in an even important thrust. Instead of banging the door, I have to break it. How can anyone shatter my dream just like that?'. His journey has stretched over 23 years, considering my son began playing cricket at six. I also motivate Abhimanyu by urging him to take inspiration from soldiers who train daily for war-like situations and stay mentally prepared for anything," said Ranganathan. Shubman Gill story: From a remote village near the border to India's Test captain "His regime is also very strict like soldiers, with focus on hitting the bed by 9.30-10 PM. Abhimanyu doesn't have a girlfriend. All that will have to wait till he achieves his dream of playing for India," he added. Gujarat batter Aarya Desai, who's been a friend of Abhimanyu for more than 10 years, highlighted his mamba mentality. "I've seen him push through everything. Nothing can disturb Abhimayu's preparation. One of the wallpapers on his phone is that of the Indian Test cap, which showcases what it means to him," said Aarya. "People labelled Abhimanyu as a slow batter who can't smash it big. He simply refuses to pay heed and focuses on scoring runs," added the Gujarat batter. Ex-Indian selector Saba Karim has termed Abhimanyu as the perfect candidate to open for India, considering his technique. A solid display for India A could well lead to louder calls for his selection. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
