Star Bengal batter Abhimanyu Easwaran has finally opened up about the emotional challenge of consistently warming the benches for Team India despite his hard work and consistent domestic performances. Admitting that the experience “does hurt,” Easwaran shared that his strong support system has helped him stay grounded and focused on his goals. His continued exclusion from the national team setup has been a major topic of discussion among cricket fans and analysts over the past few months.
Easwaran, who was part of India’s recent Test squad for the England series, never got a chance to feature in the Playing XI. Despite being among the 15 players selected, head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill opted to retain the same opening combination, leaving Easwaran on the sidelines for all five matches.
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Along with Kuldeep Yadav, he was one of only two squad members who didn’t get a single game, which understandably left him disappointed. The 29-year-old opener earned his maiden India call-up in December 2022 but is still waiting to make his debut. Even his father had previously expressed frustration over his son’s repeated omissions.
Abhimanyu Easwaran opens up about benching during India’s England tour, his support system and hopes for an Indian team debut despite tough competition#Cricket #IndianCricket #abhimanyueaswaran #IndiaEnglandTour https://t.co/LuXynRL979
— News18 (@CNNnews18) October 13, 2025
Speaking to RevSportz, Easwaran shared his honest feelings about the situation: “Yes, it does hurt sometimes. You put in all the effort, train hard, and the dream is to be in the middle, performing and contributing to team wins. But I’m lucky to have a strong support system — my family, friends, and coach — who help me stay positive.”
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Despite the setback, Easwaran remains focused on the future. “I’m in a good headspace now and looking forward to the Ranji season. I try to focus only on things I can control — work harder and train better,” he said.
With young stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal rising fast, Easwaran’s chances may appear limited, but he remains inspired by players who debuted after 30, proving persistence can still pay off.
