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Gautam Gambhir Promises Abhimanyu Easwaran’s Father: “He'll Get His Turn”

Rajgeeta Yadav

Abhimanyu Easwaran [Source: AFP]Abhimanyu Easwaran [Source: AFP]

For years, domestic cricket star Abhimanyu Easwaran has been knocking on the doors of the Indian Test team, but the call to the playing XI still hasn’t come. The recently finished Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy against England has once again sparked conversations about his absence.

Easwaran’s father, Ranganathan Easwaran, revealed that during the series, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir personally assured Abhimanyu that his chance is coming, and when it does, he’ll get a fair run.

Abhimanyu wasn’t part of the playing XI in the five-match Test series, with Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan getting opportunities at number three instead. Neither of them could make a big impact, managing only one half-century each from a total of ten innings.

Easwaran Gets Encouraging Words From Indian Coach

Speaking about his son’s reaction, Ranganathan told Vickey Lalwani on his YouTube channel:

"Abhi was pissed off because he wasn't picked. When I called, he said, 'dad, I still haven't found a place'. He was disturbed, but said, 'I've lived my dream for 23 years, not getting picked for 1-2 games won't shatter that.'"

Ranganathan went on to share Gambhir’s message:

"Gautam Gambhir, when he spoke to my son, he assured him see you you're doing the right kind of things you'll get your turn you'll get a long run. I'm not the one who will push you out after one or two matches. I'll give you a long rope. That's what my son communicated to me. The entire coaching team assured him that he'll get his due, he'll get his long run. That's the best I can say. My son is waiting for 4 years, He's put in 23 years of hard work," Ranganathan Easwaran said in an interview with Vickey Lalwani on his YouTube channel.

Easwaran’s frustration is understandable, since his first India call-up in 2022, 15 players have made their Test debut, but his wait continues.

And it’s not like he’s short on runs. In the last domestic season alone, he was in red-hot form, scoring big in the Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup, and Duleep Trophy, including innings of 127*, 191, 116, 157*, and 200*. Across his first-class career, the 29-year-old has scored 7,841 runs in 103 matches, averaging 48.70, with 27 centuries and 31 fifties.

Even in the warm-up matches before the England series, he scored 68 and 80. Still, Sudharsan, who missed the warm-ups due to IPL commitments, was preferred over him.

Looking ahead, Easwaran’s next target is a debut in the home Test series against South Africa and the West Indies later this year. Before that, he’ll be representing East Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2025, starting August 28.