India A Faces Tough Start Against England Lions in Unofficial Test
India A's first unofficial Test against England Lions in Canterbury saw a disappointing performance from opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, who failed to score in double digits. This follows a lackluster showing during the recent Australia tour. With Rohit Sharma's absence, Easwaran had a chance to shine but fell short. As the Indian team seeks a new opener post-Rohit's retirement, Easwaran must capitalize on upcoming innings to secure his place. The pressure is on as he aims to prove himself in the remaining matches.
May 30, 2025, 17:05 IST
Challenging Debut for India A
India A had a rocky beginning in their first unofficial Test against England Lions in Canterbury on Friday. Opener Abhimanyu Easwaran failed to reach double digits, contributing only a few runs to the team's total of 12. After facing 13 balls, he managed to score his first runs with a boundary but soon returned to the pavilion after hitting another four.
Easwaran's Recent Struggles
During the recent tour of Australia, Easwaran's performance was also underwhelming, with scores of 4, 7, 12, 0, and 17 across five innings. Although he was part of the Indian squad led by Rohit Sharma, his inability to make an impact meant he did not get a chance to play in any matches.
Opportunities Ahead
With Rohit Sharma absent from the Perth Test, Easwaran was expected to open the innings, but that did not materialize. Both Rohit and Shubman Gill missed the match, leading to Devdutt Padikkal being included in the squad at the last minute. This delay has extended Easwaran's wait for his international debut, despite his impressive domestic record.
Future Prospects for Easwaran
Following Rohit Sharma's retirement from Test cricket, the Indian team is on the lookout for a new opener. Easwaran needs to deliver strong performances against England Lions to secure a spot alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the senior team. He still has three innings left to prove himself, with one innings remaining in the first unofficial Test and another match to follow.