Easwaran aims to do well across formats

Abhimanyu Easwaran is making a strong case for Test selection, and under the tutelage of Rahul Dravid, has honed his skills with each passing assignment.

Easwaran has scored 247 runs so far from six matches, which included an unbeaten 107 in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Bengal batsman Abhimanyu Easwaran got all the shots in the book and also plenty of time to play them. An India A regular, Easwaran has 247 runs from six matches at a strike-rate of 149.69 including an unbeaten 107 in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

In the preceding Ranji Trophy season, he amassed 861 runs at an average of 95.66 and had three hundred and as many fifties.

Needless to say, the format of the game does not come in the way of his appetite for runs. "I don't prefer any particular version per se. My aim is to do well across all three formats. It's about applying yourself according to the situation. I'll do whatever my team needs me to," Easwaran tells Sportstar.

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The 23-year-old has adapted seamlessly to situations; be it grafting his way to an unbeaten 201, his first double-hundred, against Punjab in Ranji Trophy this season or striking an aggressive 211-ball 183 not out against Delhi to help Bengal achieve its highest chase in Ranji history. He is making a strong case for Test selection, and under the tutelage of India A coach Rahul Dravid, has honed his skills with each passing assignment.

"He (Dravid) helps us plan our innings and points out if there are any technical shortcomings in our game," Easwaran says before adding, "There is not much time before a series really because we reach the venue a day in advance and next day, we play. So we just try and get as many inputs as possible from him."

Dravid has been instrumental in developing bench strength for the senior side and Easwaran says he and his team-mates are fortunate to learn the tricks of the trade from "one of the greats of the game."

"If he (Dravid) feels there is something wrong with your game, only then will he tell you. Otherwise, he just backs us and gives us the freedom to do what we want. You can obviously approach him for any help you need," Easwaran points out.

Having been used to playing at the top level, Easwaran admits that adjusting against the first-timers from North East has been a challenge. "It is difficult because as batsmen, we are used to a certain standard of cricket. Teams like Arunachal, being new, haven't played enough competitive cricket yet; the exposure is less. That's why their level is a little lower than the Group A, B and C teams. But the BCCI wants us to play them, so we have to adjust to it," he notes.