In a thrilling encounter during the Irani Cup 2024, Abhimanyu Easwaran of the Rest of India came tantalizingly close to achieving a remarkable double century, only to fall short by a mere nine runs. The match, held between Mumbai and the Rest of India, saw Easwaran dismissed for 191 runs by Shams Mulani on the fourth day of the contest, igniting a wave of emotions among fans and cricket enthusiasts alike. Easwaran, who had been in phenomenal form leading up to the match, played a stellar innings of 191 off 292 balls, featuring 16 boundaries and a six.
His dismissal occurred on the first ball of the 103rd over, where he was caught by Tanush Kotian while attempting a sweep shot. The disappointment on Easwaran's face was unmistakable as he struck his bat against the ground in frustration, a moment that quickly went viral on social media platforms. The 29-year-old cricketer had recently showcased his talent by scoring centuries for India-B in the last two matches of the Duleep Trophy, raising expectations for his future prospects with the national team. During the match against Mumbai, Easwaran formed a crucial partnership of 165 runs for the fifth wicket with teammate Dhruv Jurel, who also fell short of his own century, further adding to the narrative of missed opportunities.
The match began with Mumbai setting a formidable total of 537 runs in their first innings, anchored by Sarfraz Khan's impressive unbeaten double century, scoring 222 runs off 286 balls, inclusive of 25 fours and 4 sixes. In response, the Rest of India managed to put up 416 runs, largely thanks to Easwaran's efforts. As the game progresses, Mumbai has taken a significant lead by scoring 187 for 8 in their second innings, putting the pressure on the Rest of India to make a comeback.
With Easwaran's recent performances and near-miss in the Irani Cup, fans are eagerly anticipating his potential selection for the Indian national team in the near future. As cricket enthusiasts rally behind him, he remains a player to watch in the upcoming matches.