Should Rohit Sharma Make Way For Abhimanyu Easwaran In Test Cricket?

Rohit Sharma and Abhimanyu Easwaran- (Source: @KunkunKupX.com)Rohit Sharma and Abhimanyu Easwaran- (Source: @KunkunKupX.com)

On Friday, October 4, Abhimanyu Easwaran, featuring for the Rest of India against Mumbai in the ongoing Irani Cup 2024 match at the Ekana Stadium, missed out on a well-deserving double-hundred and fell for 191 (292), which featured 16 fours and a solitary six. 

While Mumbai are cruising towards a win, Easwaran stole the show with his performance. The 29-year-old smashed his 3rd straight century. He first stole the show in the Duleep Trophy 2024 and smashed two centuries in the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the tournament. Further, he made a case for himself to be considered for the Indian team with a century in the ongoing match. 

The fans took to social media platforms, where they slammed the BCCI and urged the board to pick Easwaran for the Indian team. There was also a cry of the ouster of Rohit Sharma as the hitman failed to score big against Bangladesh in the recently concluded Test series. This article will talk about whether Rohit Sharma should make way for Abhimanyu Easwaran. 

Rohit vs Easwaran: A More Suitable Option

Talking about Rohit Sharma, he is having a forgetful 2024. The hitman has scored 498 runs in 15 innings this year. He has scored two centuries this year and a solitary fifty-plus score. However, his average dropped to 35.6 from 40 last year. 

Further, Rohit has been successful in getting the starts but he has failed to convert them to big scores as seen against Bangladesh.

Easwaran on the other is on a roll and is having a year to remember. His 2024 started with the Ranji Trophy, where he amassed 337 runs in three innings and averaged 168.50 courtesy of an unbeaten 200 (291).

Coming to the Duleep Trophy, Easwaran scored 309 runs in five innings, averaging 77.25, which featured two straight centuries. He bettered his feat by scoring 191 runs in the Irani Cup match, where he missed his double ton by just nine runs.

Conclusion 

BCCI should acknowledge Easwaran's efforts and consider him for the Indian team. Replacing Rohit is a tough challenge as he is also the captain of the Indian team. The transition can be done in a planned manner as Rohit can bid adieu to red-ball cricket after the WTC 2023-2025 cycle. India are currently on top of the WTC cycle and are likely to make it to the finals. Thus, India should try with Easwaran as their preferred opener from the next WTC cycle onwards.