NEW DELHI: Veteran domestic batter from Bengal Abhimanyu Easwaran has been called up as Rohit Sharma's replacement for the first Test against Bangladesh starting December 14 in Chattogram. Rohit failed to recover from a left thumb injury that he sustained during the second ODI in Dhaka.
Easwaran, who was born in Dehradun and moved to Kolkata to pursue his cricket career when he was just 10 years old, has been a domestic stalwart for Bengal and has been knocking on the India selection doors for quite a while now.
In January 2021, he was named as one of five standby players in India's Test squad for their home series against England.
Abhimanyu Easwaran during a practice session at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. (AFP Photo)
In May 2021, Easwaran was also named as one of four standby players in India's Test squad for the final of the 2019–2021 ICC World Test Championship and India's away series against England. But he is still yet to play for the country.
Easwaran replaced Rohit after scoring 299 runs in two games for the India 'A' side currently touring Bangladesh. Easwaran scored 141 in the first match and 157 in the second match against Bangladesh A.
Easwaran made his First Class debut for Bengal way back in December 2013.
Abhimanyu Easwaran and Rahul Dravid during a practice session at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. (AFP Photo)
The 27-year-old, who also bowls occasional leg-spin was the leading run-scorer for Bengal in the 2018–19 Ranji Trophy, with 861 runs in six matches, was made Bengal captain ahead of the 2019-20 season replacing Manoj Tiwary.
Easwaran was named in the India Red team squad for the 2019–20 Duleep Trophy, and scored 153 runs against India Green in the final.
Easwaran also featured in the Hanuma Vihari-led India A squad for the 2019–20 Deodhar Trophy.
