Posted by AI on 2025-08-12 09:25:15 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-13 23:19:59
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Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has thrown his weight behind young opening batsman Abhimanyu Easwaran, who failed to make the cut for the upcoming tour of South Africa, despite some strong performances in the past couple of years. In an interview with Sportskeeda, Dada spoke about Easwaran's exclusion and the ongoing debate around who should be India's No. 3.
"I think you guys are too obsessed with the No. 3 position. In cricket, you play with 11 players on the field... I am sure selectors have plans for Abhimanyu Easwaran. They must have thought, 'okay, let's try somebody else'. He will get his chance because he is a talented player. The team can't just have 10 players playing and 1 person sitting out. Everyone has to chip in, but, hopefully, he will get his opportunity."
The left-handed batsman has been in scintillating form in the recent past, dominating domestic cricket and making irresistible cases for his selection. With a stacked roster, however, the Kolkata lad has been repeatedly overlooked. Ganguly's assurance should provide a ray of hope for Easwaran and his fans.
When asked about who would be a better No. 3, between Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav, Ganguly refused to pick sides and praised both these youngsters. "They are both exceptional players. Both are aggressive and technically strong. They can bat at No. 3, 4, or 5. I think it's very difficult to say who is a better player. Everyone has a different mindset, and preferences can change based on the game situation."
At the end of the interview, Sourav Ganguly highlighted the importance of adapting overseas temperatures. "When you go to South Africa or Australia, the condition is crucial. You have to play the bounce and seam, and accordingly, you have to pick which bowler to target. All these small little things matter a lot when you are playing away from home."
Ganguly's remarks should be encouraging for aspiring young cricketers who struggle to deal with exclusion and uncertainty. The current head of the BCCI emphasized the potential that Easwaran has and promised that he will get his due chance to prove his mettle.