Abhimanyu Easwaran remains hopeful of India debut despite selection setbacks

Abhimanyu Easwaran has not given up on his dream of representing India at the Test level and continues to grind away in domestic red-ball cricket in pursuit of that goal. The 31-year-old Bengal batter has received several call-ups to the Indian Test squad in recent years, only to remain on the sidelines without making his debut.

The latest of those call-ups came during India's tour of England for the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Since then, however, the selectors have preferred younger players ahead of Easwaran.

"When I started playing cricket, the dream was always to play for the country, and that dream is still there," Easwaran was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo after scoring 56 against Services in the first innings of Bengal's ongoing Ranji Trophy match in Delhi.

"When you're in the squad and then you get dropped, there are always things that go on in your mind: 'Why not me again?' There have been instances like that, but that's okay, you get used to it. It happens, it's part of life. There's not much to say about it. With time, you learn."

Easwaran has compiled a respectable record for India A in first-class cricket, scoring 1,909 runs at an average of 38.18, including six centuries and seven half-centuries. However, he has not played for India A since registering a pair against South Africa A in November 2025. He was also overlooked for the Rest of India squad for the Irani Trophy clash against Jammu & Kashmir.

"Your job is always to turn up and do well for whichever team you're playing," Easwaran added.

"The biggest challenge for a player is to show up every day and do what the team needs you to do. I'm enjoying my cricket at the moment, and that's what matters."

Despite the setbacks, Easwaran remains fully committed to Bengal and is determined to help the team end its long wait for a Ranji Trophy title.

"The goal is always to play for India, but before that, I wanted to play for Bengal because that is the root, that is the pathway. I love playing for Bengal. It's a privilege to play for Bengal and lead Bengal."

"To represent this team and play for this badge every day is a great feeling. It's exciting. And, of course, the goal is always to win trophies. We've come very close to winning the Ranji Trophy in the past, so the aim is to go one step further and win it this season."