'Amazing' Akash, 'Stunning' Sarfaraz impress domestic teammate Abhimanyu Easwaran on India debuts
Abhimanyu Easwaran was in the Indian squad during the South Africa tour but missed out on selection for the ongoing England series.
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Abhimanyu Easwaran has been one of the most prolific run-scorers in the Ranji Trophy, and has also led India A on several occasions. He was a part of the Indian team during the two-match Test tour of South Africa but didn't get a game. The batter surprisingly missed out on selection to India's squad for the ongoing series against England.
Easwaran, who recently led India A against England Lions, expressed his delight after consistent performers in the Ranji Trophy, Sarfaraz Khan and Akash Deep, made their respective debuts during the ongoing series against England. While Sarfaraz scored twin fifties in the third Test in Rajkot, Akash Deep ripped apart the English top-order with a fiery spell in the first hour of the fourth Test in Ranchi.
Abhimanyu felt that these performances only validate the notion that the Ranji Trophy serves as a great preparation platform for players before they get to the national team.
"Ranji Trophy is constantly improving because a lot of players are going into the IPL and then coming back to play domestic cricket. The biggest challenge in the Ranji Trophy is that out of 7 matches, you will play 3 on green track, 2 on turners and maybe 2 on flat pitches. Nobody plays for 3 points anymore, everyone is looking to win the four-day game," Easwaran said in an interview to India Today.
We all felt in the India A side that Sarafaraz Khan deserved to be in the Indian team: Abhimanyu Easwaran
Sarfaraz Khan had to wait a long time before getting his maiden India call-up against England. The Mumbai batter had been scoring heaps of runs in first-class cricket, and Abhimanyu stated that his India A mates also felt that he deserved to be in the senior team.
"I feel so happy for Sarfaraz Khan. I have seen him up close since childhood and he has been stunning in the last three seasons of Ranji Trophy. He has been fantastic, scoring runs in 90 per cent of the matches. He was so good in the Rajkot Test and would have scored a hundred, if he had not gotten run out," Abhimanyu said.
"We all felt in the India A side that he deserved to be in the Indian team. And make no mistake, the Ranji Trophy standard is really high. Look at Sarfaraz, he looked like a finished product on his Test debut. He had no problems to bat at that level. So ya, we look at him and go ‘He is performing so well, we can too, because we are also grinding at the same level," the Bengal batter added.
Speaking about his Bengal teammate Akash Deep, Abhimanyu said that he is one of the most hard-working players he knows.
"Amazing for Bengal, I was expecting him (Akash Deep) to make a debut in Ranchi Test. To see him get the cap from Rahul Dravid was amazing. From the time he came to Bengal, he has been outstanding. I think he is one of the most hard-working people I know. He has bowled amazingly on Day 1, I was really excited to see him," Abhimanyu said.
The 28-year-old also lauded star pacer Mohammed Shami for guiding the Bengal bowlers whenever he gets time.
"Mohammed Shami is not available in general due to his commitments with India. Whenever he comes, the bowlers sit together with him and have a chat with him. He is very helpful that way, whenever he is available. It is a plus point for Bengal cricket," he added.
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