Abhimanyu Easwaran finalized as Yashasvi Jaiswal's opening partner ahead of KL Rahul for Perth Test

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra opened up about Abhimanyu Easwaran’s chances of playing in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. Aakash Chopra said that Abhimanyu Easwaran could open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal during the first Test of the five-match series in Australia.

Easwaran opened the innings for India A during the two unofficial Test matches against Australia A. The right-handed batter scored 17 runs off 31 balls in the second innings during the second unofficial Test in Melbourne. He was dismissed for a three-ball duck during the first innings of the match.

Abhimanyu Easwaran Is Probably Not Ready - Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that India A batters failed to make an impact during the second day. Chopra pointed out that Easwaran is once again, along with other players like Sai Sudharsan, KL Rahul, and Ruturaj Gaikwad.

The former Indian opener said that Easwaran still has a chance of playing in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy despite their poor form. However, he added that his lack of runs in the unofficial series raises doubts about his readiness.

"They got out once again. It was 0, 4, 0, 4 in the first innings. Here also, whether it's Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, KL Rahul or Ruturaj Gaikwad, no one is scoring runs. India A are not playing well. It comes to your mind that you are preparing for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy," Chopra said.

"For that, you sent your players early to practice and score runs. If they score runs, you could make up your minds to play them. Abhimanyu Easwaran still has bright chances of playing, although he doesn't have any returns in these unofficial Test matches. Based on that, you feel he is probably not ready," he added.

Abhimanyu Easwaran Scored Just 19 Runs In First Match

Easwaran scored just 19 runs in total across his two innings in the first unofficial Test against Australia A. He was named in the Indian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Indian captain Rohit Sharma might miss the first Test, scheduled for November 22 in Perth, due to personal reasons.

KL Rahul Found New Way To Get Out - Aakash Chopra

In the same video, Aakash Chopra also mentioned KL Rahul’s bizarre dismissal in the second unofficial Test against Australia A. Chopra said that the way he got out in the second innings will not help his choice to open in the first Test match.

"Since Rohit might not be available for the first match, you thought you would get KL Rahul to open. So you sent KL Rahul. As soon as he arrived, he was asked to play. He got out in the first innings - okay. The way he got out in the second innings, you see that and say what is this new way he found to get out," Chopra stated.

On Day 2, the visiting team was struggling at 73/5 on November 8. Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel scored 68 runs off 122 balls, including five boundaries. The lower-order batsmen made valuable contributions as India reached a total of 229. Australia chased down the target with six wickets in hand.

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