BGT 2024-25: Why India Selected Abhimanyu Easwaran Ahead Of Ruturaj Gaikwad?

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhimanyu Easwaran [Source: @cricketchamber,@im_arun_sak_/x.com]Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhimanyu Easwaran [Source: @cricketchamber,@im_arun_sak_/x.com]

The Board of Control of Cricket for India has announced India's 18-member squad for the upcoming tour to Australia. The squad included a few surprise selections and exclusions. However, the selection of Abhimanyu Easwaran ahead of CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad might have surprised a few fans. 

First, here is a look at the Indian squad for the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25:

Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar

Ruturaj Gaikwad was projected as the third opener for the Border Gavaskar Trophy. However, it seems like the management has backed Easwaran and will take him on the tour. 

This article will try to find the reasons behind Abhimanyu Easwaran's selection ahead of Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Abhimanyu Easwaran vs Ruturaj Gaikwad Recent Form

Abhimanyu Easwaran has been amassing runs in the domestic circuit at a great rate. He has been nearly perfect with his bat. 

In the last six first-class matches, Easwaran has scored five Hundreds with a Double Ton included in it. On the other hand, Ruturaj Gaikwad has also been decent with the bat but has not displayed the supreme touch of Easwaran. In the last five first-class matches, Gaikwad has one Hundred and three half-centuries under his belt.

Abhimanyu Easwaran vs Ruturaj Gaikwad Ranji Performance

Criteria
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Abhimanyu Easwaran
Innings714
Runs364798
Average52.0066.50

Table- Ranji 2022-23 performance

The table shows that Easwaran has been impeccable since the last Ranji season. While Ruturaj Gaikwad has also shown consistency, Easwaran's numbers are too good to be matched.

Abhimanyu Easwaran vs Ruturaj Gaikwad Playstyle

Abhimanyu Easwaran has established himself in the domestic circuit as a perfect batter for the red-ball format. His defensive technique, composure and temperament speak of a player who likes to bat long and score big Hundreds. In the absence of Rohit or Jaiswal, India would have preferred an opener who could effectively handle the pace and bounce of the Australian wicket, and Easwaran perfectly fitted the criteria. 

On the other hand, Ruturaj Gaikwad has established himself as more of a multiformat player. His game is versatile and suits all formats. However, for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, the Indian management wanted a batter to battle it against the hostile Australian bowling. Gaikwad's tendency to attack the bowlers when put under the pump and sometimes throw away his wicket might have gone against him.