Despite Being “Hurt”, Abhimanyu Easwaran Chooses to Focus on Things He Can Control After Multiple India Snubs

Before being picked for the main Indian Test squad, Abhimanyu Easwaran played for second-tier affiliate teams like India 'A', 'B', 'Red', and 'Green'.

Despite Being “Hurt”, Abhimanyu Easwaran Chooses to Focus on Things He Can Control After Multiple India Snubs

Abhimanyu Easwaran shared his thoughts on his recent Team India snub for the two Tests against West Indies. (via News 18)

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Indian batter Abhimanyu Easwaran opened up about his exclusion from India’s ongoing red-ball series against the West Indies, despite having excelled in domestic cricket over the years. Easwaran admitted that being repeatedly overlooked for a spot in India’s playing XI has genuinely ‘hurt’ him.

Abhimanyu Easwaran made his debut for the Bengal in 2013, and has been one of the top performers in the Ranji Trophy since then. In 103 first-class matches, he has scored 7,841 runs at an average of 48.70, hitting 27 hundreds and 31 fifties. Easwaran’s numbers in List A cricket are equally remarkable, with 3,857 runs in 89 matches at an average of 47.03, in addition to 976 runs in 34 domestic T20 matches.

Easwaran was first picked as one of the five standby players for a home Test series against England in 2021. He was subsequently named as a standby player for the 2021 WTC final, before getting his first official senior call-up in December 2022 to the Test squad for a series against Bangladesh. However, luck has not really favored the veteran opener, as he has failed to make his way into the playing XI even once.

Easwaran travelled to England for the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, but did not feature in a single match, later being snubbed for the ongoing home Test series against the West Indies.

In an interaction with RevSportz, the 30-year-old opened up about his disappointment with his non-selection, stating that it ‘hurts’ him sometimes, highlighting the efforts and training that he puts in. He clarified that selection remains outside of his control, and he remains fully prepared for when the opportunity arrives.

Every player wants to be on the field, representing the country. But it’s not something that’s in my control. What I can control is my preparation, working on my game, improving every day, and being 100% ready when the opportunity comes.

Furthermore, Easwaran also talked about the support that he has received from friends, family and his coach. Since 2021, when he first joined the senior setup, several players have made their red-ball debuts, yet Easwaran remains uncapped. When he was questioned about how he felt on watching others get an opportunity ahead of him, he noted that the motivation to play for India is what drives him. 

It does hurt sometimes. You put in all the effort, train hard, and the dream is to be in the middle, to perform, to contribute to wins. But I’m fortunate to have a solid support system: my family, friends, and coach. They help me stay grounded and motivated.

Nonetheless, Easwaran will be hoping to prove his worth in the upcoming 2025-26 Ranji season. He has been named Bengal’s captain for the season, with Abhishek Porel as his deputy, in a squad that includes stars like Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep.

Abhimanyu Easwaran talks about Michael Hussey’s example following recent India Test omission

Bengal captain Abhimanyu Easwaran has been a constant in India’s Test squad for most of the recent series, but has failed to find an opportunity to make it into the playing XI. Most recently, he was not picked for the West Indies series, with the selectors instead going ahead with Devdutt Padikkal.

Abhimanyu Easwaran on Micheal Hussey
Abhimanyu Easwaran talked about Micheal Hussey’s example of a player who made it big despite having debuted quite late. (via NDTV Sports)

Easwaran was asked whether he takes motivation from Australian batting great Michael Hussey, who make his international debut quite late in his career. Hussey made his ODI debut at 28, and his Test debut at 30, and had already proven himself as a first-class veteran prior to that, scoring over 15,000 runs while representing Western Australia.

Citing Hussey’s journey, Easwaran noted that he remains a big fan of the former Aussie great, while highlighting the level of perseverance that he had. The Bengal batter also shared the example of Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, who also made his international debut after the age of 30. Easwaran shared that he too might flourish late in his career, if handed an opportunity to play for the Indian team. 

Absolutely. I’m a big fan of Michael Hussey… His journey shows what perseverance can achieve. Even Surya [Suryakumar Yadav]. So yes, it’s always at the back of my mind — “Why not me?”

Furthermore, the 30-year-old admitted that the Indian team management have been supportive, noting the environment as positive. He also revealed that he was encouraged during the tours to Australia and England by head coach Gautam Gambhir, and captains Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. 

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