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Whether with Bhowanipur Club or East Bengal, Sandipan Das has consistently helped his teams win trophies. After achieving numerous victories, including a treble last year with Bhowanipur, the former ICC U-19 World Cup winner is now on the brink of delivering East Bengal's first league trophy in a decade.
Following his man-of-the-match performance in the semi-final against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan, Sandipan Das shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point.
"The winning mentally is there since childhood"
For Sandipan, playing in the final of a championship or winning it is not new; he has been securing trophies since his U-13 days. The Bengal all-rounder attributes his winning mentality to his childhood coach, Debesh Chakraborty, who instilled this mindset in him from an early age.
“I have been winning trophies since childhood. Whether it was the Ambar Roy tournament in U-13s or any other competition, I've always been part of champion teams. Thanks to Debesh Sir, who took me to play in those tournaments, the winning mentality has stayed with me throughout my career,” Sandipan Das told Sportz Point.
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"If 100 is not enough, I need to score 150"
After contributing to India's victory in the ICC U-19 World Cup under Unmukt Chand in 2012, Sandipan was fast-tracked into the Bengal team. Just a month after the World Cup, he made his List A debut, followed by his First-Class and T20 debuts.
However, despite showing promise, he struggled to make a significant impact for Bengal and has not played a single game since January 2015. Although he has excelled in the club format and helped his teams win titles nearly every season, Sandipan found himself out of the state team.
"It has been a long time since I played for Bengal. But I do not want to blame anyone for that. I believe I should score 150 if 100 is not enough. That has been my motive. I want to improve every day as a cricketer and leave the rest to God," Sandipan expressed.
"This attitude has also helped me win for my teams. If I think 100 is enough, I might become complacent and get out. Or if I feel that taking just two wickets suffices, I might bowl a loose over. There is no room for complacency in cricket," he added.
A perfect example of this mindset occurred during Sandipan's innings for East Bengal against Mohun Bagan in the C.A.B. First Division Championship semi-final. The match was evenly poised after the first day, and one mistake from Sandipan could have tipped the scales in favor of Mohun Bagan.
At the start of Day 2, Sandipan believed they could reach 450 runs. However, after losing partners, he decided to focus on taking the game deep, even if it meant not scoring a century. Eventually, East Bengal finished with 408 runs, and Sandipan remained unbeaten on 108.
Monayem+Sandipan = Success in Kolkata Club Cricket
Such patience and attitude of Sandipan did not develop overnight; they are the result of years of practice, dedication, and guidance from his coaches. In addition to his childhood coach, Abdul Monayem has been a constant support for Sandipan for over a decade.
Monayem is one of the most successful coaches in Kolkata club cricket, who led Bhowanipur Club to three league titles in recent years. Sandipan thrived under Monayem’s guidance, which not only helped him grow as a cricketer but also as a captain of the team.
Currently the coach of East Bengal, Monayem brought Sandipan to join the team this year, aiming for more trophies together. The success in the P. Sen Trophy and reaching the league final after nearly a decade is a testament to their strong camaraderie.
"He (Abdul Monayem) is like a mentor to me. I have been playing under him for more than ten years now. He knows me very well, and I understand his expectations. Sometimes he is like a big brother; other times, he is a friend with a supportive hand on my shoulder. This relationship has allowed him to bring out the best in the players," Sandipan shared.
"Players like Abhishek Das, Agniv Pan, and many others have been together for many years now. This group, under Abdul (Monayem) Sir, has consistently achieved great things because he understands each player, and as a team, we strive to do our best," Sandipan added.
"I enjoy being around the young kids"
In addition to being one of the top batting all-rounders in Bengal, Sandipan runs a coaching center. This initiative allows him to switch his focus from his own cricketing career and share his knowledge with the next generation.
"I believe this brings out a different side of me. Working with kids and teaching them the basics of cricket is something I love. I truly enjoy being with them," Sandipan stated.
"During my childhood, I did not have access to many facilities here in Jagaddal, so I try to give them as much as I can and share my knowledge," he concluded.
