Irani Cup: Opener Abhimanyu Easwaran makes statement hundred for ROI vs Mumbai, records 26th First-Class century

While skipper Ruturaj (9) fell early, the 29-year-old Easwaran weathered the Mumbai onslaught earlier raising his 26th First-Class hundred. Easwaran lone recovered partnerships successful patches arsenic Sudharsan (32) and Devdutt Padikkal (16) fluffed their starts.

Easwaran’s 100 comes arsenic a timely reminder of his skills arsenic the nationalist selectors proceed to hole the Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy successful Australia, starting successful precocious November.

Easwaran, who captained the India B broadside successful the Duleep Trophy past month, finished 2nd connected the run-scoring charts with 309 runs, including 2 gritty centuries. The innings marked Easwaran’s 4th 100 of the season, which besides includes a treble 100 against Bihar successful the Ranji Trophy past February.

A seasoned of 98 First Class games, Easwaran has racked up much than 7300 successful the format with an mean supra 49.

While Easwaran remains precocious connected the pecking bid for the back-up opener’s slot successful the Test squad, the three-way contention is expected to proceed successful the India A set-up during its circuit to Australia starting October 31. The Indian Express understands that with not overmuch separating Easwaran, Gaikwad and Sudharsan, whoever adjusts rapidly to the conditions successful Australia is expected to instrumentality the 3rd opener’s slot.