Everything In A Name: Abhimanyu Easwaran set to play first-class game in stadium named after him

How far can you go to satiate your passion for cricket? Ask Ranganathan Parameswaran Easwaran, who bought a huge piece of land in Dehradun back in 2005, spent an astromical amount from his pocket to build a first-class cricket stadium.

Come January 3, when Bengal take on hosts Uttarakhand in a Ranji Trophy Group B encounter, Easwaran can't be faulted for being a tad stalgic when son Abhimanyu, an opener kcking on national team door, will be playing a first-class match at 'Abhimanyu Cricket Academy Stadium'.

"It is a proud moment for me to play a Ranji game at a ground where I have learnt all my cricket as a young boy. This is a result of his (far) love and hardwork and it is always a great feeling to come home but once you are on field, focus is on winning game for Bengal," 27-year-old Abhimanyu, who has 19 hundreds and was recently part of Indian Test squad in Bangladesh, told PTI on eve of match.

While stadiums named after legendary cricketers post-retirement isn't a new phemen, re aren't too many examples where an active Indian uncapped first-class cricketer was going to ply his trade on a cricket stadium named after him.

Wher Viv Richards ground in Antigua, Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba (Trinidad & Tobago) or Allan Border field in Brisbane, grounds and stadiums were rechristened once legends finished ir illustrious careers.

In that regard, Abhimanyu playing at 'Abhimanyu Stadium' is indeed a special occasion for both far and son.

picturesque ground, which also has floodlights, has been adopted by BCCI for some years w with a lot of domestic matches (senior, junior, women and -group) being held but never before has owner of stadium himself played a first-class game.

"Yes, I don't think re are many instances, but for me this is t an achievement. Yes, it feels good but real achievement would be if my son can play 100 Tests for India. This is a stadium I built because of my passion for game and t just for my son," RP Easwaran told PTI ahead of Ranji Trophy game.

"I started constructing (it) in 2006 and I am still spending from my pocket to upgrade it constantly. re are returns but it's all about my love for game." A chartered accountant by profession, Easwaran started 'Abhimanyu Cricket Academy' in 1988 even before his son was born in 1995.

"I had been a newspaper vendor and sold ice-creams in Dehradun as I completed my CA degree. I wanted to give back to game and it is my good fortune that God gave me a son who also plays cricket. But passion to create a cricket facility was always re. w I have left active practice and just relax," sense of fulfilment was palpable in Easwaran senior's tone.

While he is a proud far of an India 'A' captain, what gives him more satisfaction is that his academy has produced five players who are in Uttarakhand Ranji team, including seamer Deepak Dhapola, who got eight wickets in last game.

"Mohammed Shami, Shreyas Iyer, Dinesh Karthik have all come here and practised at our facility. We have built 60 rooms for accommodation, 20 hostel rooms, floodlit indoor practice facility during monsoon, state-of--art gymnasium, staff quarters, in-house laundry, bakery," Easwaran said.

When Abhimanyu was asked about Uttarakhand players, with whom he has grown up training, he said that in this day and , every bit of data is available.

"Yes, I have practised with a lot of m and I wouldn't deny it helps. But in today's day and with extensive video analysis being done, one has any distinct advants as such," Abhimanyu said, stating that pitch at his "home stadium" is going to be a "sporting one".

Abhimanyu's state team head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla is a battle-hardened professional, who doesn't want his ward to be emotional.

"It is a fantastic ground, pitch looks good and outfield is great. But I kw Abhi (that's how he is called in cricketing circles). He is a practical boy and we have a Ranji game to play and he is focused on that. It is good for you media people as it is an interesting fact," Shukla said. 

Im: BCCI