Abhimanyu Easwaran has spoken openly about being left out of the India Test squad, saying there is “nothing much to say about it” and that he has learned to accept the situation as part of a cricketer’s life. The 31-year-old Bengal opener, who is playing his 118th first-class match, is yet to make his international debut despite several Test squad call-ups and 32 India A appearances since July 2018.
Easwaran was part of the India Test squad for the tour of England in 2025, but has since been dropped as the selectors opted for younger batters as back-up opening options. After bagging a pair against South Africa A in November 2025, he was also left out of the India A squad. He was additionally excluded from the Rest of India side for the Irani Cup against Ranji Trophy defending champions Jammu and Kashmir.
Despite those setbacks, Easwaran began the 2026-27 domestic season with a couple of half-centuries for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy. He then scored 34 and 34 not out against Delhi in the opening round of the Ranji Trophy, before top-scoring with 56 on a spin-friendly pitch at Palam in the second round against Services.
What has Easwaran said about being dropped from the Test squad?
Easwaran addressed his exclusion from the Test squad candidly after his knock of 56 for Bengal against Services. He acknowledged that being dropped naturally raises questions in a player’s mind but said he has come to terms with the situation over time.
“When I started playing cricket, the dream was always to play for the country, and that dream is still there. When you’re in the squad and then you get dropped, there are always things that go on in your mind, ‘why not me again?’ So there have been instances [like that], but that’s okay, you get used to it. It happens, it’s part of life. Nothing much to say about it. With time, you learn,” Easwaran told Cricinfo.
How has Easwaran performed for India A and Bengal this season?
Among all the India A run-scorers, Easwaran tops both the runs and centuries charts. He has accumulated 1909 runs at an average of 38.18, with six centuries and seven half-centuries in 51 innings for India A. Despite those numbers, he and Priyank Panchal remain the only players in the top 10 India A run-scorers who have not made their Test debuts.
Bengal, led by Easwaran, started the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season with a nine-wicket win over Delhi in Kalyani. The side reached the semi-finals last season before losing to eventual champions Jammu and Kashmir. Easwaran spoke about his commitment to Bengal and his broader ambitions.
“Your job is always to turn up and do well for whatever team you’re playing. The biggest challenge for a player is to just turn up every day and do what the team needs you to do. So I think I’m enjoying it at the moment and I’m enjoying my cricket,” he added.
“The goal is always to play for India but before that, I wanted to play for Bengal, because that is the root, that is the path. I love playing for Bengal. It’s a privilege that I’m playing for Bengal, leading Bengal. So I think to turn up every day, represent this team, play for this logo, it’s a great feeling, it’s very exciting. And obviously, the goal is always to win a tournament. We’ve come very close to winning the Ranji Trophy, so the aim would be to win the Ranji Trophy this season,” he concluded.
