Last season’s performance was very impressive for Abhimanyu Easwaran. Being more of an automatic choice for the CAB’s Cricketer of the Year award, courtesy his consistent showing with the bat, Abhimanyu has been able to make significant contributions for India A as well.

The latest instance being an unbeaten 62 under tricky circumstances in the second four-day game against West Indies A in Port of Spain, which earned the visitors a seven-wicket victory and a series win as well.

However, the 23-year-old is pretty much aware that his job has only just started, as he needs to “keep evolving as a batsman.”

“Well, you keep evolving as a batsman. You can’t stop learning after reaching a certain phase or level,” Abhimanyu told The Telegraph from Port of Spain in the wee hours of Sunday.

“Yes, I have had my share of success for India A as well, but you need to keep motivating yourself and keep working on your game to reach greater levels. It’s a constant process. So I still have miles to travel.”

Reflecting on the successful season with Bengal, batting at the top order, Abhimanyu prefers to focus on the learning he has had.

“I have had a good season where I scored runs, which included a few big knocks as well. Hope I can do even better in the coming season by making use of all the learning that I have had.

“The goal will also be to help Bengal win more matches,” he emphasised.

Abhimanyu came in for praise even from India’s Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane. In the city on Saturday as special guest for the CAB’s annual awards function, Rahane mentioned the youngster’s name as well when he urged aspiring cricketers of the state to learn from the likes of icon Sourav Ganguly, Wriddhiman Saha, Mohammed Shami and the late Pankaj Roy.

More game-defining and match-winning knocks will certainly help Abhimanyu knock on the India doors harder, but these thoughts are secondary at the moment for him.

“I am not thinking about it (India call-up). That is not in my hands,” was his uncomplicated assessment.

He is also not too keen to think of the Bengal captaincy, despite being observed as ideal captaincy material by some in the Bengal support staff. “To be honest, I am really not thinking of Bengal captaincy at present... Will try and fathom that when the time comes...” Abhimanyu commented.

Going back to his batting, Abhimanyu highlighted simulating conditions that help in his preparations especially before playing matches overseas. “During practice, I work with my coach Apurva Desai where we simulate conditions. We try and visualise what could be on offer. Then when I go for overseas matches, I get an idea of what approach I should bat with and the shots I need to play,” he said.

Just like it did to many youngsters in recent years, training and playing under Rahul Dravid in India A has paid dividends for Abhimanyu too.

“Dravid Sir couldn’t be with us here in the West Indies since he is the director of NCA now. There was a period when I was getting out in 50s and 60s and unable to convert them into big ones.

“It was then that he told me to concentrate harder after reaching the half-century, set small targets thereafter and focus on my shot selection.”