Rest of India opener Abhimanyu Easwaran was just nine runs short of a remarkable double century when he fell to Mumbai’s spinner Shams Mulani on Day 4 of the Irani Cup 2024. Batting in challenging conditions at the Ekana Stadium, Lucknow, Easwaran’s gritty 191-run knock was cut short, leaving the 28-year-old visibly frustrated as he walked back to the pavilion.
His marathon innings came off 292 balls and featured 16 boundaries and a solitary six, driving Rest of India’s efforts to match Mumbai’s imposing first-innings score of 537. Easwaran’s dismissal saw him top-edge a delivery, offering a simple catch to Tanush Kotian at short fine leg.
Swing of Disappointment
After battling through intense pressure from Mumbai’s bowlers, Easwaran’s frustration boiled over the moment his innings ended. As he walked off, he was caught on camera swinging his bat in anger, hitting the ground in disappointment. His emotional reaction drew attention from the crowd, who had been cheering for him throughout his long, determined stay at the crease.
This near-double century marked another milestone in Easwaran’s prolific domestic career. The innings was his 26th first-class century, continuing his excellent form following twin centuries in the Duleep Trophy 2024 earlier this year. Despite the disappointment of falling short of a double ton, Easwaran’s innings placed Rest of India in a strong position as they aimed to chase down Mumbai’s first-innings total.
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Rest of India’s Push
Thanks to Easwaran’s valiant efforts, Rest of India closed the gap on Mumbai’s massive score. His partnership with Sarfaraz Khan, who contributed a crucial 79, was key in steering their team from early struggles. With wickets in hand and plenty of overs left in the match, Rest of India’s lower-order batters were tasked with consolidating the platform laid by Easwaran’s marathon knock.
While Easwaran couldn’t reach his personal milestone, his innings was undoubtedly the backbone of Rest of India’s effort in this Irani Cup clash, setting up a potentially thrilling finish on the final day.
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