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In a significant boost for two rising stars of Indian cricket, Bengal’s prolific batter and captain Abhimanyu Easwaran and Delhi pacer Harshit Rana have been selected for India’s squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The announcement on Friday, October 25, follows a string of impressive domestic performances and reflects India’s focus on building depth in the national team.
Abhimanyu Easwaran: A Reward for Consistency in Domestic Cricket
Abhimanyu Easwaran, the Bengal captain, has long been a standout performer in India’s domestic circuit. Known for his grit, technique, and consistency, Easwaran has been a prolific scorer over the past few seasons. His performances in the Duleep Trophy for India B and the Irani Cup with the Rest of India have been nothing short of extraordinary. The Bengal captain amassed runs with ease, scoring centuries with remarkable regularity, which has now translated into a well-deserved Test call-up.
For Easwaran, the road to the national side has been a journey of perseverance. He has previously been on the radar of the selectors and has traveled with the India A team for several overseas assignments, where he consistently impressed. His calm temperament and ability to play long innings have drawn comparisons to the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, making him a valuable asset in foreign conditions where patience and technique are key.
Harshit Rana: A Rising Star in Indian Fast Bowling
On the other end of the spectrum is Delhi pacer Harshit Rana, whose journey to the Test side has been rapid and impressive. Known for his pace, bounce, and control, Harshit has been part of India’s squads in limited-overs formats, particularly during the tour of Sri Lanka. Although he hasn’t yet made a Test appearance, his inclusion signifies a vote of confidence from the selectors in his potential to thrive in the longest format.
Harshit Rana has shown considerable promise in domestic cricket, clocking speeds that can trouble batters on any surface. His ability to swing the ball both ways and extract bounce from good-length areas makes him a versatile option. His maiden call-up to the Test squad speaks volumes about his growing reputation and could well be the start of a fruitful Test career.
Nitish Kumar Reddy Joins the Test Fold
Another fresh face in the squad is Andhra and Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. Recently debuting for India in the T20I series against Bangladesh, Reddy’s inclusion adds a balanced option to the Test side, given his skills with both bat and ball. His performances in domestic cricket and his adaptability in the shorter format have left a mark on the selectors, who see potential in him to perform at the highest level.
Reddy’s induction also reflects India’s strategy to cultivate a pipeline of versatile players who can contribute in multiple roles. His strong presence in the field and ability to stabilize the lower order add value to a squad that is set to face a formidable Australian side.
Jasprit Bumrah Named Vice-Captain, Rohit Sharma’s Availability in Doubt
In other notable developments, fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been named vice-captain for the Border-Gavaskar series. Bumrah’s elevation is a testament to his leadership qualities and his pivotal role in the Test setup. Known for his fierce bowling and calm demeanor, Bumrah is widely respected both on and off the field, making him an ideal candidate to support captain Rohit Sharma in leading the side.
However, there are speculations regarding Rohit Sharma’s availability for the first or the second Test of the five-match series. This could mean that Bumrah, as vice-captain, may have to step in as the acting captain should Rohit be unavailable. The uncertainty around Rohit’s participation adds an element of intrigue and places added responsibility on Bumrah’s shoulders.
The India Squad: A Blend of Youth and Experience
The squad selected for the tour reflects a balanced blend of youth and experience. The batting department is anchored by veterans like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, while the inclusion of emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Abhimanyu Easwaran points to a strategy of preparing a strong batting core for the future. In the wicketkeeping department, Rishabh Pant returns to the Test fold, with Dhruv Jurel also named as a backup wicketkeeper, strengthening the options in the squad.
India’s bowling department looks formidable, with experienced spinners like R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja leading the attack. The pace unit is stacked with options, including Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and the newly included Harshit Rana. The selectors have also named three pacers—Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Khaleel Ahmed—as backups, indicating that India is well-prepared for the challenging conditions expected in Australia.
Full Squad for Border-Gavaskar Trophy:
- Batsmen: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan
- Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel
- All-Rounders: Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar
- Spinners: R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja
- Pacers: Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana
Backup Pacers:
- Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed
An Exciting Series Ahead
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has traditionally been one of the most fiercely contested series in cricket, with both India and Australia bringing out their best for the iconic trophy. India’s recent dominance in the series, both at home and in Australia, has set high expectations for the team. However, facing the Australians in their home conditions presents a unique challenge, particularly for the newcomers who are yet to experience the pressures of international Test cricket.
Including players like Easwaran, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy adds fresh energy to the squad and offers an opportunity for these rising stars to make their mark on the biggest stage. As the team embarks on this challenging tour, fans and experts alike will be keenly watching these new talents who represent the future of Indian cricket.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia is set to kick off with the first Test, and all eyes will be on how India’s newly assembled squad performs. For Easwaran, Rana, and Reddy, this tour marks a milestone in their careers and a chance to etch their names in Indian cricketing history.
