Kolkata club cricket's big four, East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Kalighat and Bhowanipur Club, qualified for the semi-finals of the C.A.B First Division League Qualifier and Championship Playoffs on Sunday in four grounds across Bengal. 

East Bengal defeated Shambazar Club handsomely by 8 wickets, while their arch-rival Mohun Bagan defeated Mohammedan Sporting Club by 22 runs to reach the final four.

On the other hand, Kalighat managed a narrow one-wicket win over Town Club. But, Bhawanipore made the headlines by chasing down Barisha Sporting's mammoth 430-run target with 21 balls remaining in the match.

East Bengal beat Shambazar by 8 wickets

Kanishk Seth ran through the Shambazar Club in the first inning with his lethal left-arm pace bowling at the Deshbandhu Park Ground in Kolkata. Seth picked up three wickets for 32 and was well supported by Bengal's highest wicket-taker of the last two seasons, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal.

Suraj broke through the top order while Kanishk made sure the middle order did not get any momentum. Suraj picked up three wickets for 42 while captain Writtick Chatterjee also took two important wickets to ensure East Bengal had only 180 to chase in the second inning. 

During the chase, Abhisek Das and Satyaki Dutta gave them a great start, despite an early wicket of Akash Ghatak. Abhisek remained unbeaten on 70 while Satyaki departed after a 50 from 39 balls. Captain Writtick Chatterjee also played a quick-fire knock of 44 from 21 balls as the red and gold won by 8 wickets. 

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Writam Porel's gritty 96 helped Kalighat beat Town Club by 1 wicket

Despite Yuvraj Keswani's stunning 106, Town Club's 280 in the first inning did not prove to be enough as Writam Porel's unbeaten 96 took Kalighat over the line in a nail-biting finish at Aditya School Ground in Barasat.

Town Club in the first inning posted 280, depending on Yuvraj's ton and Avirup Gupta's 53. Arun Chaprana was the pick of the bowlers for Kalighat with 4/42. 

During the chase, Kalighat lost their openers quickly, but captain Anustup Majumdar scored 60 from 88 balls to keep them in the chase. But it was heroics from veteran Writam Porel that saw Kalighat qualify for the final four.

Writam remained unbeaten on 96 while he lost partners from the other end. Though Kalighat were short of the total after the full overs, a penalty of 86 runs helped them win by 1 wicket. 

Read Also | Bengal Cricket Exclusive | "Teams sign us to help them win trophies:" Subham Chatterjee after a double ton in CAB first-division pre-quarter-final match

Mohun Bagan defeated Mohammedan Sporting by 22 runs

Gitansh Khera and Ranjot Singh Khaira's incredible tons, along with Rohit Kumar's 4 wickets, helped the Green and Maroon brigade beat Mohammedan Sporting by 22 runs to reach the semis. 

Both Gitansh and Ranjot scored 124 in the first innings, which helped Mohun Bagan put 380 in the first innings at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani. Vaibhav Yadav was the star of the show for Mohammedan with the ball as the left-arm spinner picked up six wickets for 108 for the black and white brigade.

In the second inning, captain Sudip Chatterjee fought a lone battle with a stunning 125 for Mohammedan along with Sambit Roy's 95. But, eventually, they fell short by 22 runs despite earning a penalty of 27 runs. 

Rohit Kumar was influential for Mohun Bagan with a stunning spell of 4/68. 

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Habib Gandhi's heroics take Bhawanipore to the semis

Shakir Habib Gandhi's unbeaten 168 from 170 balls helped Bhawanipore chase a mammoth 430 against Barisha Sporting Club at Videocon Ground in Kolkata. 

Kazi Junaid Saifi's 161 and Sumanta Gupta's 107 helped Bhawanipore put up a huge total of 429 runs in the first inning. Aamir Gani picked up three wickets in the first inning. 

During the chase, Bhawanipore captain Abhimanyu Easwaran departed after scoring 51 off 71, but Jayojit Basu's 81 from 109 balls kept them in the game. 

However, it was all about Shakir Habib Gandhi's stunning 168 from 170 balls, which helped Bhawanipore chase down the total with four wickets in hand and 21 balls remaining in the match. 

The Cricket Association of Bengal (C.A.B.) has postponed the second season of the Bengal Pro T20 League due to rising tension between India and Pakistan. 

The women's tournament was about to start on May 16 in Birbhum, while the men's tournament was set to kick off from June 4 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. 

In an official press release, the C.A.B. stated, "Considering the prevailing national circumstances, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has decided to postpone the start of Bengal Pro T20 League Season 2 and thus all pre-events related with it, until further notice. A revised schedule, including updated venues and fixtures, will be shared after a detailed review of the situation in coordination with relevant authorities and stakeholders and any advisory as issued by the BCCI."

"In these testing times, the Cricket Association of Bengal stands in full solidarity with the nation. We wholeheartedly support the efforts of the Government of India and salute the courage and dedication of our armed forces, whose unwavering service under Operation Sindoor is a source of pride and inspiration for all Indians."

"Cricket has always united us, but in moments like these, we are reminded that our foremost duty is to the country. The CAB remains deeply committed to the principles of national unity and security, and every step we take will reflect that commitment."

"We are grateful to all the stakeholders of the League for standing by us and for their shared resolve to prioritise national interest over everything else."

Earlier today, the IPL 2025 was also postponed for one week with immediate effect. Here is how Indian athletes reacted to the Indian armed forces' reply to Pakistan's attempt to attack India. 

The second season of the Bengal Pro T20 League is set to commence on May 16, starting with the women's tournament, while the men's tournament will begin on June 4. Although the first season was relatively successful, the fans were somewhat disappointed by the limited runs scored by the batters. Shreevats Gowasmi, a former Bengal and IPL cricketer, hopes to see more runs this season to attract both scouts and fans.

Goswami, a 2008 ICC U-19 World Cup winner and the recipient of the 2008 IPL Emerging Player of the Year award, shared his insights in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point. 

"Youngsters should focus on performing in state tournaments like BPT20L

The former left-handed top-order batter, who is a commentator and cricket analyst now, emphasised the significance of local state leagues in a recent Instagram post, highlighting the necessity for players to focus on these leagues before aspiring for larger platforms like the Indian Premier League.

"I.P.L. teams are always on the lookout for unknown talents who can surprise opponents. Players like Priyansh Arya, Aniket Verma, Vignesh Puthur, and Digvesh Rathi were relatively unknown before entering the I.P.L. All of them made a significant impact in their first few games. This is what teams are currently seeking," Goswami told Sportz Point.

"Since I.P.L. teams now send scouts to observe performances in state T20 leagues, there's always a possibility of getting noticed through these leagues. Thus, players must concentrate on delivering strong performances in tournaments like the Bengal Pro T20 League," he added.

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In addition to providing a platform for players, Goswami believes these leagues can also benefit the states by helping identify the next generation of cricketers. 

"With these leagues comprising 5-7 franchise teams, they offer a pool of players to evaluate. This also aids states in discovering their next wave of talent. So, it works well for both young players and the states," Goswami expressed.

Read Also | Exclusive: Bowls like Malinga, once doubted by her family, Nadia's Sonali Das is set for Bengal Pro T20 League dreams after an 8-wicket haul in School Cricket

"I would love to see more sixes and bigger scores"

To attract fans and impress scouts in a T20 format, significant scores and exhilarating last-ball finishes are crucial. These elements highlight the skills of the batters while challenging bowlers in high-pressure situations similar to those encountered in the I.P.L. 

For example, Priyansh Arya made headlines in the Delhi Premier League by hitting six sixes in an over during his knock of 120 runs off 50 balls. Ashwani Kumar bowled six yorkers in an over in the Sher E Punjab T20 Trophy in 2024. 

Such performances helped both players secure spots in the auction, leading to notable achievements—Arya scored the third-fastest IPL century by an Indian, while Ashwani became the first Indian man in IPL history to take more than three wickets on his debut.

"The only thing I want to see this season in the Bengal Pro T20 League is big sixes and bigger scores. More scores in the range of 180-200, or even greater, will challenge the batters to aim for large hits during chases, while also providing opportunities for bowlers to excel in demanding conditions," Goswami stated. 

"However, given all the I.P.L. matches and club games throughout the season, it may be challenging to secure batting-friendly pitches. Nevertheless, I am confident that the C.A.B. will make an effort to prepare batting-friendly wickets this season," he added.

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"Batters need to do more open nets"

To achieve high scores and experience impactful performances, Bengal's highest run scorer of Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy feels that batters need to adopt a more fearless approach. As one of Bengal's greatest white-ball batters, he advises players to engage in open net sessions to enhance their hitting skills. 

"I would recommend that young batters spend more time in open nets. See if you can clear the boundaries or not. Aim to hit 100 sixes every day from the centre of the ground. This will help them understand their abilities and better prepare for matches," Goswami shared.

Using the example of a talented 14-year-old, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Shreevats noted, "Look at someone like Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Even at such a young age, his hitting ability rivals that of anyone in the I.P.L. How does he achieve that? First, he has a fearless mindset, and second, he practices hitting big sixes."

"Developing the habit of hitting sixes is essential for success in leagues like the Bengal Pro T20 League."

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"More T20-specific practice is needed"

The last time Bengal won a white-ball tournament was in 2012 when they lifted the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with Shreevats as the opener for the team. Since then, they have struggled to achieve similar success in white-ball cricket. While they have reached a few finals in red-ball formats, their white-ball accomplishments have been elusive.

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Shreevats believes that to thrive in the white-ball format or T20 cricket, players must engage in more T20-specific practices. Additionally, he feels that academies should provide grounds that allow for more open net sessions. 

"It is quite basic. Batters need to participate in more T20-focused practices. For that, access to open nets at training academies would greatly benefit the players."

But how can Bengal cultivate stars like Vaibhav?

Shreevats, who became a cricketing star even before turning 18, believes that to cultivate more white-ball talents at a young age, guardians need to place greater trust in coaches and allow them to develop the children. Additionally, coaches should engage with the kids to understand their aspirations and then guide them accordingly.

“To develop any cricketer, guardians need to have more confidence in the coach's abilities, and coaches should ask the kids what they want to achieve. After understanding their goals, coaches can guide them in the right direction,” Goswami shared.

Bengal Pro T20 League started last season with only one hope and aim - to give Bengal cricketers a platform to showcase their skills to get picked up by Indian Premier League scouts and teams. But the first season did not produce any great results due to many factors. 

With the second season approaching in a better-planned way, teams might not want to miss a few names who were not there last time. This list has been made with the cricketers who did not play or were not picked up during the drafts last time. 

Moreover, the list has been created keeping both C.A.B. First division A, B, and C group performances, along with performances in underage cricket for Bengal in recent years. 

1. Abhimanyu Easwaran (Batter)

Okay, you might be shocked to see his name up on the list. Abhimanyu Easwaran has been one of the known names in Indian domestic cricket for a few years now. 

He was the marquee player and captain of the Reshmi Medinipur Wizards last season. However, due to an injury, he had to rush to the National Cricket Academy (now Centre of Excellence) in Bangalore. 

Eventually, he was replaced by former India wicket-keeper batter Wriddhiman Saha by the franchise. So, technically, he will have to make his debut this season, and teams will go after him. 

A dependable opener who plays both spin and pace with the same ease can be an asset to any team. Moreover, he can be an option for captain as well. His experience in playing grounds like Eden Gardens will also bring some added advantage to teams.

2. Dipanjan Mukherjee (Batting allrounder)

I am not quite sure how teams missed his name last season. Dipanjan is one of the most explosive white ball batters in Bengal easily. His record of hitting six sixes in an over sets him up as one of the easiest picks for any team. 

Moreover, Dipanjan can come in handy with his medium pace bowling as well, if needed. 

Dipanjan bats in the middle order and can finish games too. A very well-known face in Kolkata Club Cricket, who has featured for the U23 Bengal team and the Eastern Railway team, can be one of the first picks this season. 

For context, Dipanjan plays for N.S.I club in the Kolkata Club Cricket. 

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3. Pritam Chakraborty (Pace bowler)

Pritam Chakraborty is another name that teams missed out on last season. Although many had stated that it was his injury that concerned franchises before picking him up in the draft. But later, Sportz Point could confirm that he was absolutely fit for the season. 

The past is now past, and I feel that, with this experience in Bengal cricket and current form in the T20 format, teams should go after Pritam this season. 

With 11 wickets in 4 games in the J.C. Mukherjee T20 Tournament, Pritam is currently the joint highest wicket-taker of the season. Along with his current form, Pritam also brings the teams an option to have a wicket-taker in the powerplay with his ability to swing the ball both ways. 

Read Also | Bengal Cricket Exclusive: 45 wickets last season, getting wickets on flattest of pitches, Ravi Kumar hoping for a first-class debut next season

4. Akhilesh Yadav (Left-arm spinner)

It is not a secret that left-arm spinners are one of the most valuable parts of any T20 team now. Last season, I felt teams missed out on Akhilesh Yadav because somehow, they were not prepared enough or knew all the players in the draft. 

Since teams will be more prepared this season, Akhilesh Yadav will be a player to watch out for. 

Akhilesh is someone who takes more than 50 wickets every season in Kolkata club cricket and plays a lot of white-ball tournaments in and around West Bengal to master the art of T20 bowling. 

He has previously played for Bengal U-19 in the past and has been one of the most experienced left-arm spinners who is yet to don the Bengal jersey.

Read Also | Exclusive: Bowls like Malinga, once doubted by her family, Nadia's Sonali Das is set for Bengal Pro T20 League dreams after 8-wicket haul in School Cricket

5. Priyanshu Patel (Left-arm spinner)

Priyanshu Patel has been one of the brightest names for Bengal in underage cricket in the last few seasons. In the 2023-24 season, Priyanshu was Bengal's highest wicket-taker in the Cooch Behar Trophy.

That success earned him to get trained in the National Cricket Academy and sharpen his skills. Not only that, he was even selected as one of the net bowlers for the Indian cricket team in the past as well. 

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Last season, he was on the standby list of the Srachi Rarh Tigers team. 

An accurate left-arm spinner who can add value with the bat and field is a must for any team. So, Priyanshu gets his well-deserved mention in the list. 

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6. Kazi Junaid Saifi (Batter)

Kazi Junaid Saifi has been one of the most promising names in Bengal cricket for nearly a decade now. Since his U-16 days, Kazi has been a prominent name in Kolkata with his stylish left-handed batting and leadership skills. 

In the past, he has led the Bengal U-16, U-19 and U-23 teams as well. It was astonishing to see a talented batter like Kazi missing out on Bengal Pro T20 League selection last season. 

Kazi can bat anywhere from opening to 4 or 5 and is one of the best players of spin ball in the state. Moreover, his outstanding fielding skills, along with his offspin, can be handy for any T20 team. 

As we write this article, Kazi scored a stunning 140 off 128 in the Pre-Quarter-final of the C.A.B. First Division One-Day tournament for Barisha Sporting Club.

Read Also | "Why not a Kazi or Pradipta?" Bibhas Das questions Bengal's strategy on leaving younger players

7. Avijit Mondal (Batter)

Among the batters from C.A.B. First Division B&C group, Avijit Mondal is a name that Bengal Pro T20 League franchises can go for. The right-handed batter has done exceedingly well this season and was one of the Top 5 highest run-getters in the league in the B&C group with 581 runs in 10 matches.

Avijit has played for the Bengal U-19 in the past and since then has been one of the known names in Kolkata Club Cricket.

Just like Kazi, Avijit is also a batter who can provide stability in the middle for any team. Moreover, his experience of Kolkata Club Cricket will be helpful for teams to plan out opponents in the middle. 

8. Anas Ali Khan (Batter)

Along with Avijit, Anas Ali Khan, the young batter, has been one of the most impressive batters in the B&C group this season. Playing for Aikya Sammilani Club, Anas scored 661 runs in 11 innings in the league this season, which made him the fourth-highest run-getter of the tournament.

The impressive batter has played for Bengal U-19 and Bengal U-23 as well and has been in great touch recently. 

In the recently concluded CAB First Division League Qualifier Round, Anas scored a stunning 169 against Calcutta Port Trust Club, which again proves why I have listed him here.

9. Debangshu Pakhira (All-rounder)

Another exciting prospect of Bengal Cricket, Debangshu Pakhira, was one of the best performers for Bengal U-19 this season as they played the final of the Vinoo Mankad Trophy after 11 years.

After doing well for the U-19 side, where he received praise from many coaches in Bengal, Pakhira has featured for Anandabazar Patrika Sports Club in Kolkata Club Cricket. 

A quick, young right-arm pacer who can give you valuable runs down the order can be a dream combination for teams in the upcoming Bengal Pro T20 League 2025. 

Ravi Kumar, the star of the ICC U-19 World Cup 2022 victory for India, has so far played only 5 T20 games for Bengal. Whereas other players from that 2022 batch have gone on to play for their states, IPL teams or even India A, Ravi was not even tried in the first-class arena by the Bengal team management. 

Do you know that Ravi missed the IPL 2022 Auction because he had not featured for Bengal in any senior game before the auction? 

Read more about that - IPL 2022 Mega Auction: 8 U19 Players ineligible for the auction, here's the reason

Despite taking 45 wickets last season for Bhowanipur Club, the most by any pacer in C.A.B. First Division Cricket, Ravi was heartbroken not to get a first-class cap for Bengal. Not only that, he was also part of the team which won every single possible trophy in the Kolkata Club Cricket last season. 

After another stunning performance, on one of the flattest pitches of the season, where more than 700 runs were scored, Sportz Point sat with Ravi Kumar for an exclusive interview.

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"Performing well on flat pitches gives you added confidence"

Ravi showed his skill and class in the Kalighat vs Bhowanipur C.A.B. First Division League semi-final with a 4-wicket haul that helped Bhowanipur enter the final for consecutive seasons. On a pitch where getting a dot ball was tough, Ravi made sure he stuck to his strength of bowling good length to take wickets. 

"It gives you added confidence when you do well on those kinds of pitches. It was flat. So, I had to be patient with my line and length to achieve success. Getting the first wicket in the first over itself was an advantage as well," Ravi told Sportz Point. 

"Whenever you have more than 500 or 600 on the board, you get that extra cushion as a bowling unit. But, when you have someone like Anustup Majumdar in the opponent lineup, you need to be accurate with every ball," the 21-year-old pacer added.

Read Also | Exclusive: Bowls like Malinga, once doubted by her family, Nadia's Sonali Das is set for Bengal Pro T20 League dreams after 8-wicket haul in School Cricket

Length and discipline = Success

This was not the first time Ravi got wickets and success in the hot Kolkata weather in a pressure game. He has been doing this for the past few seasons. What has been his secret to bowling well on pitches where there is less support for the bowlers?

For Ravi, it is his length and discipline.

"You need to be disciplined on a wicket like this. In this hot weather, you need to make sure you are not wasting your energy on bad balls. Hitting the lengths and not giving away anything is the only way you can get success on this kind of wicket," Ravi shared.

Ravi's ability to hit a length from both over and around the wicket has given him lots of success in the last two seasons. In fact, in a champion team like Bhowanipur, he has been their go-to man whenever they are in trouble. And, Ravi loves the responsibility of doing well in a crunch situation for his team.

"I am fortunate that the team looks at me whenever they need something to happen. Luckily, I have also delivered in those crunch situations for the team," the left-arm pacer stated.

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45 wickets but yet no call from selectors

Last season, Bhowanipur won the treble of Kolkata Club Cricket by winning the League, ODI and T20 Championship. Ravi Kumar was one of their standout performers in that extraordinary season. Ravi returned with 45 wickets, the most among the pacers in the Kolkata first division. 

Though he was hoping for his ultimate goal of playing first-class after the end of a great season, Ravi was heartbroken not to see him on that Bengal squad for the Ranji Trophy. 

"I was heartbroken. I took 45 wickets last season and hoped to get into the Ranji Trophy team. But, do not know why I was not given a chance. But, that has made me stronger in mind that I have to keep doing well to earn that cap," Ravi expressed.

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That ankle injury and the toughest phase of Ravi's career so far

Meanwhile, Ravi also suffered a career-threatening ankle injury and then returned to action stronger than ever. Post recovering from his injury, Ravi did not miss a single game for U-23 Bengal and even prioritised club games more than a few IPL trials to get his chance to play for senior Bengal. 

However, the young pacer was hurt to see the lack of support from everyone during his toughest time. 

"Injuries are the toughest time for any bowler. It was a tough period for me. Sadly, I did not get the support I was looking for during that time. But, I came back stronger and played all the games at the U-23 level and club level," Ravi said.

Read Also | Where Are They Now: Last Time Bengal Men's Cricket Team Won A Trophy

"I know my body better now"

But Ravi has moved on without resentment from those sad times and is only looking to focus on his process as an athlete. 

"Post the injury, I have known my body better. I now know the amount of workload my body can take. I am working on my skills every day, and  I am sure I will be able to impress the selectors with more crucial performances," Ravi stated. 

Ravi will be eyeing his back-to-back C.A.B. First-Division League title for Bhowanipur in the final against East Bengal. 

It is uncommon in India for a girl to pursue a career in sports without facing skepticism from family and friends. Four years ago, Sonali Das from Habibpur, Nadia, picked up a cricket ball to bowl after being inspired by videos of Jhulan Goswami. At that time, many doubted her aspirations, and some even laughed at her.

However, in just four years, the 16-year-old has turned those doubts into confidence and laughter into applause. She bowls like Malinga, a fact that becomes immediately evident to anyone who sees her bowl.

With an impressive 8-wicket haul in the semi-finals of the U-16 Girls School Cricket and receiving the Bowler of the Tournament award in the presence of her idol, Jhulan Goswami, Sonali now has her sights set on representing Bengal in the upcoming Bengal Pro T20 League 2025.

Recently, Sonali was selected by the Adamas Howrah Warriors for this prestigious tournament, an opportunity that brings her one step closer to realising her dreams. Sportz Point had the privilege of hearing her inspiring story in an exclusive interview.

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"Watching Jhulan Maam's videos inspired me to play cricket"

Sonali fell in love with cricket at the age of 12, captivated by Jhulan Goswami's bowling. Like countless other girls in the country, she aspired to emulate the greatest bowler in women's cricket history. Notably, both Jhulan and Sonali hail from the same district in Nadia, West Bengal.

"I started getting attached and loving this game after watching Jhulan Goswami maa'm bowl. I just loved how she used to clean up stumps at the international level. Everything started from there for me," Sonali told Sportz Point. 

However, convincing the family to support a sporting career can be challenging, especially for a 12-year-old girl in India.

"Initially, my father was reluctant to send me to a cricket coaching centre. But after COVID, I managed to persuade him to enrol me in a coaching centre in Ranaghat," Sonali recounted.

Sonali's journey began at a cricket coaching camp in Ranaghat, where her unique bowling style caught the attention of others, though she also faced harsh criticism. During a U-14 District Zonal camp, coach Paramita Roy noticed Sonali’s accuracy and aggressiveness and believed that with proper training, Sonali could become a future star for Bengal. 

Soon, Sonali started her 3-hour-long train journey three days a week to reach her goals. And, Goutam Das, Sonali's father, understood that her daughter was born to do something great in cricket.

Read Also | Bengal Cricket: 7 U-19 cricketers from Bengal who can play for India in future

Getting noticed by the greats during the Girls' School Tournament

As the training started under Paramita Roy, Goutam Das felt that to help her daughter shine in cricket, she needed to be closer to the coaching camp and avoid a long journey. Along with that, he realised that Sonali needed to play more tournaments to enhance her skills. 

Soon, he admitted Sonali to Infocus India Public School so that Sonali could take part in the C.A.B. Organised U-16 Girls School Cricket. And that tournament turned out to be a turning point for Sonali. 

"I began working under Paramita Ma'am and improved rapidly as a bowler. She also focused on my batting so I could contribute valuable runs in the lower order," Sonali explained.

"With my progress, I gained support from everyone around me. Now, I live in a rented place in Kolkata to minimise travel for practice. My father has been my biggest supporter on this journey," she emphasised. 

"Playing in the U-16 Girls' School Cricket tournament changed the trajectory of my career. I was noticed by many former Indian cricketers like Jhulan (Goswami) Maa'm, Lopamudra Bhattacharji) Maa'm and Gargi (Banerjee) Maa'm during the tournament. They all gave me some valuable advice to improve and work on."

That 8/9 in the semi-final

Sonali's moment came when she rattled through South Point High School, batting line up and returned with a bowling figure of 8 for 9 runs and also scored 22 runs as Infocus India Public School defeated South Point by 306 runs. Sonali received the Player of the match award from former India cricketer Gargi Banerjee, which she feels is one of the best moments of her career.

In the final against Behala Kishore Bharati Girls' High School, Sonali again returned with 3 wickets for only 9 runs as Infocus India Public School won the tournament. Sonali won the "Best Bowler of the Tournament" award for taking 15 wickets in just 5 matches. 

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From school cricket to senior cricket

This helped her get drafted into the C.A.B. Women's Club Tournament, where she got the chance to go shoulder to shoulder against some of the best in Bengal cricket. In the C.A.B. Women's Club Cricket League (ONE-DAY) Tournament 2024-2025, Sonali returned with 9 wickets in 6 matches at an average of 18.67, to gain the trust of Adamas Howarh Warriors Franchise to pick her for the Bengal Pro T20 League 2025.

"I am thankful to everyone in the Adamas Howrah Warriors for picking me for this huge tournament. I am delighted to get this opportunity," Sonali stated. 

"My immediate goal is to help the franchise do well in the tournament under Dhara (Gujjar) di. And then play for the Bengal U-19 team. I know if I can make myself ready for the U-19 level, I will be doing good. It is all about taking it step by step," the 16-year-old pacer shared. 

Post the Bengal Pro T20 League 2025, Sonali will be shifting to Kolkata along with her parents to fully focus on cricket. She now just wants to make her parents and family proud.

"We will be shifting to Kolkata permanently only for my cricket. I just want to make my parents and family proud and happy," she expressed.

The Bengal Pro Women's T20 League 2025 will start from 16th May, till 4th June at the M.G.R. Sports Academy Ground in Birbhum, West Bengal.