Sourav Ganguly backs domestic stalwart for 'No. 3 slot that looked a bit fragile' in England

Sourav Ganguly backs domestic stalwart for 'No. 3 slot that looked a bit fragile' in England (PTI Photo)

Abhimanyu Easwaran has been backed by former India captain Sourav Ganguly to make his Test debut soon. Since being called up to the national team for the first time in 2021–2022, the Bengal cricketer has been waiting for his chance. Easwaran was overlooked by the management during the recently concluded five-match Test series against England, even though Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair both struggled at number three. Ganguly believes Easwaran can establish himself at number three after making his much anticipated debut in the whites.

"He has age on his side. I still believe he will get his chance," Ganguly was quoted as saying by the Times of India. "I feel batters like Yashasvi (Jaiswal), KL Rahul, (Shubman) Gill, (Rishabh) Pant, (Ravindra) Jadeja have all got runs. It's only the No. 3 slot that looked a bit fragile. Maybe Easwaran will be tried out there," he added.

15 players have made their debuts since Easwaran's first call-up, but he is yet to earn his maiden cap. Ranganathan Easwaran, his father, has reacted angrily to his son's frequent omissions. In 103 first-class games, Easwaran has amassed 7841 runs at an average of 48.70.

"Gautam Gambhir, when he spoke to my son, assured him you're doing the right kind of things, when 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 four years, He's put in 23 years of hard work," Ranganathan said in an interview on Vickey Lalwani's YouTube channel.

"He should have played one down. There is no question. There are not second thoughts about it. No ill feelings for Sai Sudharsan. Where does he fit in? 0, 30, 61, 0 (Sai Sudharsan's score in Leeds and Manchester Tests). They could have tried Abhimanyu. Abhimanyu has played about 30 percent of his matches at Eden Gardens, which a green track and he's got experience of playing on green tracks and the record suggest Abhimanyu is a player who holds the innings for a long time. Records speak," Abhimanyu Easwaran's father added.