Abhimanyu gives a ‘dream start’ to the Bengal campaign : He is back with a bang. Young Abhimanyu Easwaran who made headlines with a great innings against Tamil Nadu in the 2014-15 season at Eden Gardens, when he scored his maiden First Class century and his highest First Class score (150*), is back in full flow. He was also conferred with the CAB Player of the Year award for 2014-15.
Abhi was unfortunate not to have played the full season in 2015-16, thanks to injury, he is all set to compensate for that loss in the current season. He has already started showing signs of having a great season ahead.
Playing in the campaign opener against Uttar Pradesh at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, Abhi gave a ‘dream start’ to his team.
Bengal led by Manoj Tiwary, won the toss and elected to bat.
The opening pair of Abhi and Sayan Mondal put up 64 runs on the board, before Mondal (30) was caught behind by Eklavya Dwivedi off the bowling of Ankit Rajpoot.
This brought together the two vibrant youngsters, Abhimanyu and Sudeep Chatterjee.
The duo stayed put together and added a valuable 132 runs for the second wicket. In the process Chatterjee registered his 10th First Class half-century.
Facing 140 deliveries in a stay of 139 minutes at the crease, Chatterjee scored 73 runs with 11 hits to the boundary. He departed with the team score at 196 runs.
Thereafter Abhi was joined by the debutant Agniv Pan in the middle. Together they added another 86 runs for the third wicket. Pan exhibiting great batting skills and not being overawed by the situation, went on to register his maiden First Class half-century. He scored 51 runs.
While the top order really did well, the day exclusively belonged to Abhimanyu Easwaran who appeared at ease at the crease and did not show any kind of pressure.
He dropped anchor at one end while gradually working his way towards his second First Class century. He reached the landmark in the company of the debuant, Pan, before he (Pan) was bowled by Ankit Rajpoot in the final over of the day.
At the end of Day 1, Abhi remained unbeaten on 123* runs that came in 241 balls with 18 hits to the fence. His partner, Manoj Tiwari, remained unbeaten on 1* run, with the team score at 288 runs for the loss of 3 wickets.
Speaking to the CAB website at the end of day’s play, Abhi said, “I am keen to build up a big partnership with the skipper tomorrow. Getting a century is always satisfying. The bowlers didn’t create any pressure on me”.
However, come Day 2, the youngster added another 19 runs to his overnight tally and was caught by the wicket-keeper Dwivedi off the bowling of Imitiaz Ahmed.
Having made a point, Abhi departed with the team score reading a healthy 338 runs for the loss of 4 wickets.
Abhi has clearly started the campaign ‘on a high’. This is a very long season that would offer many more opportunities to showcase his talent and score a few more tons.
