'You'll get a long run': Abhimanyu Easwaran's father reveals India head coach Gautam Gambhir's big promise to his son

With India being blessed with a plethora of talent, there is fierce competition for every position in the national cricket team, so much so that it would be safe to state that there are at least three replacements available for every place. While having options available is a desired state for every coach and selection panel, there is a drawback to it as well. Not everyone will get the chance to showcase their mettle. However, one should remain hopeful and keep working hard to eventually find a spot.

Bengal cricketer Abhimanyu Easwaran is currently in a similar stage in life. Easwaran was part of the India squad that toured England , but did not get a chance to display his talent with the bat.

Abhimanyu promised a chance by Gambhir?

Post the series, Abhimanyu’s father, Ranganathan Easwaran, has revealed that his son has been promised an opportunity by Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir. Ranganathan also mentioned that Abhimanyu has been waiting for four years to demonstrate his abilities and believes it’s time for him to show his hard work on the pitch.

Abhimanyu broke out on the Indian scene almost three years ago when India toured Bangladesh in December 2022. Despite travelling with India on multiple tours, he is yet to receive his debut cap.

“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 could have been tested over Sudharsan’

He further stated that Abhimanyu could have been tested in the England series over Sai Sudharsan. Making a case for his son, Ranganathan said that Abhimanyu has batted his whole life on green tracks, and his record speaks volumes about his ability.

“He should have played one down. No ill feelings for Sai Sudharsan. Please understand he’s known to me, all of them are known to me. But the question is which place, means it’s one down. Where does he fit in? You tell me 0, 31, 0, 61. They could have tried Abhimanyu, who has played about 30% of the matches on Eden Garden, which is a green track. He’s got experience on playing on green wicket. And the record suggest Abhimanyu is the player who holds on the innings for a long time,” he added.

Easwaran was in exceptional form in the last domestic season, where he amassed loads of runs for his teams in the Ranji Trophy, Irani Trophy, as well as in Duleep Trophy. His notched scores like 127*, 191, 116, 19, 157*, 13, 4, 200*, 72, 65. In his first-class career so far, the Bengal batter has scored 7841 runs in 103 matches at an average of 48.70, and has registered 27 hundreds and 31 fifties.