Easwaran’s T20 blast reignites debate over his long Test-team wait

Abhimanyu Easwaran’s journey continues to puzzle Indian cricket followers. The Bengal opener has been one of the most consistent performers in domestic red-ball cricket for several years, yet a Test debut still eludes him. Despite repeatedly being added to India’s squad, he has never broken into the playing XI, with team management after team management choosing alternatives whenever an opportunity emerged.

Now 30, Easwaran boasts an outstanding first-class record—8,136 runs in 109 matches at an average of 47.85—numbers that usually guarantee a long rope in the longest format. But his absence from IPL setups and limited exposure in white-ball cricket have led many to believe that he fails to fit the current trend of preferring multi-format players for Test selection.

That perception may be shifting. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy clash against Punjab, Easwaran unleashed a blistering 130 off 66 balls, signalling a clear intent to expand his white-ball credentials. The knock did not secure a win for Bengal, but it certainly jolted national attention.

Ravichandran Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, could not resist a tongue-in-cheek remark aimed at chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir. Referring to Easwaran’s T20 century, Ashwin said:
“Now that Abhimanyu has scored a hundred in T20 as well, we’ll definitely get to see him. Since he’s made runs in T20, surely he’ll make the Test team now.”

The remark reflects a long-running frustration among former players and fans who believe Easwaran deserved a chance after the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket. Instead, India opted for younger options like Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair, neither of whom made a significant impression against England.

One criticism Easwaran has faced is his inability to dominate India A fixtures—often seen as a direct audition for the national side. Earlier this year, he acknowledged the emotional toll of waiting endlessly for an opportunity.

“Yes, it does hurt sometimes. You work hard, prepare well, and the dream is always to be in the middle contributing to the team,” he told Revsportz in October. “But I’m lucky to have a strong support system—family, friends, coaches—who keep me grounded. I’m in a good space now and looking forward to the Ranji season.”

With performances across formats beginning to gain traction and senior spots opening up, Easwaran’s patience may yet be rewarded. For now, his story remains one of domestic excellence still waiting for its international chapter.