Abhimanyu Easwaran: Focusing on Growth Amidst the SMAT 2025 Hype

In the wake of India’s defeat against South Africa at home, calls for Abhimanyu Easwaran’s inclusion in the national Test squad have intensified. Despite the noise, Easwaran remains steadfast, focusing on leading Bengal with excellence. During a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match on Sunday, he showcased his versatility, scoring an unbeaten 130 off 66 balls against a strong Punjab side, led by Abhishek Sharma’s commanding performance.

His impressive display of precision hitting sparked a tongue-in-cheek remark from Ravichandran Ashwin, suggesting Abhimanyu’s T20 prowess might sway selectors towards considering him for the Test team. Nevertheless, Easwaran, at 30, remains patient, opting to stay humble and await his opportunity, regardless of how challenging the wait might be.

“Disappointments are part of the journey, but not all paths are identical,” Easwaran shared with Sportstar. Being part of the Test team in past tours, he emphasizes the importance of being prepared and continually improving, aiming to excel whenever the chance to play for India arises.

Reflecting on his recent performance with India-A, where he faced a couple of ducks, he acknowledged the valuable lessons learned. “Conversations with K.L. Rahul about batting strategy and preparation as a top-order batsman were insightful. Learning from the South African team’s performance was also beneficial, and I’m confident of performing much better in future opportunities.”

Despite the plaudits for his innings against Punjab, Abhimanyu values the positive impact of his performance on Bengal’s Net Run Rate. He finds satisfaction in seeing the results of his training efforts.

“In exploring different field areas, like switch hits and reverse sweeps, I managed to consistently find boundaries, even when chasing a large target,” he explained, pleased with his ability to adapt his playing strategy. The fact that nine of his teammates scored in single digits further highlighted his standout performance.

Published on Dec 01, 2025.