Former India A captain Abhimanyu Easwaran has been in stellar form recently, amassing four centuries in his last four matches. The 29-year-old Bengal batter has consistently proven his mettle, yet despite his impressive performances, he was overlooked for India’s Test squad for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand, which begins on October 16. While many might feel disheartened by such a snub, Easwaran’s perspective on the situation is refreshingly positive and grounded in his love for the game.
In a recent interview with the Indian Express, Abhimanyu Easwaran candidly shared how he copes with the disappointment of not being selected for India despite his consistent domestic success. He emphasized that his passion for cricket remains unwavering, regardless of whether he gets picked for the national team.
“You need to remind yourself that you started playing this game because you love it. Whether I get picked or not, that love is unconditional. I want to have fun when I play this game,” Abhimanyu Easwaran explained. He also acknowledged that while thoughts of selection do cross his mind, he finds solace in the support system around him, which helps him maintain focus.
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“That selection thing comes into my mind, but I am very lucky to have good people around me. Whenever I lack clarity, I have a chat with them, and that gives me a lot of clarity to focus on what I can control,” he added.
For Easwaran, the ultimate dream is to win matches for India, but he understands that selection is beyond his control. Instead of dwelling on what he cannot change, Easwaran is committed to honing his skills and staying ready for when his opportunity comes.
It is a challenge when you are dropped after being close to getting an India cap, you just want to leave everything: Abhimanyu Easwaran
By @venkatatweets https://t.co/U7U5QNe7DE
— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) October 16, 2024
He added, “The dream has been to win games for the country. So that’s what is on your mind. But with time, I’ve realized that selection is not in my hands, so there is no point investing too much energy into it. You just wait for your turn and try to improve as much as you can.”
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Though Easwaran has been part of India’s squad in the past, he has yet to break into the playing XI, a situation that has understandably been frustrating. Reflecting on this, he admitted, “It is a challenge for sure. Sometimes, you just want to leave everything. But then you face the reality. The things that you did well in domestic cricket are what have earned you a place in the team. Just because I didn’t get an opportunity to play doesn’t mean I have to change things.”
Looking ahead, Easwaran is optimistic about his chances of playing in the high-profile Test series against Australia next month, potentially filling in for Rohit Sharma. He sees the possibility of traveling with India A as an opportunity to acclimatize to the conditions and prepare himself for a potential Test debut. “Even if you are going to get one game, you will not feel out of place. It will give an extra advantage,” he said.
