Abhimanyu Easwaran hits 4th consecutive first-class century, intensifies competition with Ruturaj Gaikwad for BGT backup opener spot

Easwaran shone with an unbeaten 127 off 172 balls while opening the batting for Bengal in their second innings. The team declared on 254/3, setting UP a target of 274 to chase in just over a session. Easwaran and Sudip Chatterjee put on a terrific 212-run opening stand before Chatterjee was dismissed for 93 off 151 balls. Chatterjee had also impressed in Bengal's first innings, scoring 116 off 227 in their total of 311. Mukesh Kumar and Shahbaz Ahmed took four wickets each to help Bengal dismiss UP for just 292 runs. At Tea on Monday, UP were struggling at 82/4 in their second innings, with Bengal looking to wrap up the remaining wickets in the final session to secure victory.

Easwaran's extraordinary recent performances, coupled with his rich domestic record over the years, has made him a prime contender along with Ruturaj Gaikwad to be India's backup opener in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The position has gained more importance with the possibility of captain Rohit Sharma possibly missing one of the first two Tests of the series. Apart from this being the fourth consecutive match in which he has scored a century, Easwaran has also scored centuries in all but one of his last five red-ball games. Easwaan's scores from the last 10 innings read 127*, 191, 116, 19, 157*, 13, 4, 200*, 72, 65.

The Indian team consists of players like Shubman Gill and KL Rahul who have played as openers in the past and have now been demoted to positions in the middle order and lower middle order. However, it is reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is looking at Easwaran as their main backup opener for the series, regardless of whether Rohit plays all five matches or not. Easwaran will also be in Australia with the India A team which he is supposed to lead.

Easwaran is not the only candidate for the position though. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is expected to be captain of the India A team in Australia and Easwaran's opening partner there, is also a leading name in the race.

According to news agency PTI, Rohit has intimated to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he might have to skip "one of the two Tests at the beginning of the series" due to a "pressing personal matter". The first Test will be played in Perth from November 22 to 26 after which the second Test, which will be a day-night affair played with the pink ball, is scheduled to take place from December 6 to 10.