Shibpur Institute finally made it to the first-division league in Kolkata Club Cricket after fighting 9 years in the second division league. Deepak Prasad, a prominent name in Bengal cricket scored tons of runs for them. Meanwhile, Jayanta Dutta, the captain of the side, led the team to their biggest success in last decade. Earlier they had already won the One-day and T20 trophy as well. Both shared their thoughts after winning the Championship at Eden Gardens, Kolkata in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point.

"It is one of the best feelings to help a team promote from second division to first division," Jayanta Dutta started the conversation with a huge smile on his face. "Ravi uncle gave me the responsibility to make the team in the last season. We could not do anything due to covid last season. However, we did win trophies. This season as we knew that league will take place, we made the team accordingly. It was a fight for our reputation and we did it," Jayanta Dutta added further.

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Shibpur this season had the services of one of the prominent names of Bengal cricket who played decades in the first division league. Players like Amit Banerjee, who was Man of the match in the final and Amit Biswas along with Shah Rukh, Anup Barick, Raja Yadav all played their part in making it possible for them.

"It felt like family to be honest. There was no discrimination between seniors and juniors. Some of our players came in the team after having played decades in Bengal cricket. So, it helped a lot. Juniors learnt from them as well. From Amit Banerjee, Amit Biswas, Monomit Mitra to Raja Yadav, Anup Barick, Deepak Prasad who should not I thank! They all have been great throughout the season," the captain of the Shibpur team added.

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Meanwhile, Deepak Prasad felt that it is one of his most satisfying moments of his career after playing more than a decade in Kolkata Club cricket. Deepak has been scoring runs for fun in the club cricket in last few years and known for his attacking mindset. However, the league trophy was something that was missing in the last few years.

"Yes, I was scoring runs, but wining the league is something I wanted. We did not look for the trophy. We were focusing on the every match. The main goal was to play good, basic cricket. Meantime we kept on playing good cricket and the result is in front of you," Deepak said.

"The team environment helped. Jayanta da created the environment where everyone played their part. All contributed throughout the season, this helped everyone playing the way we played," Deepak added further.

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Deepak is known for his attacking cricket and range of big shots he has in armory. However, according to him, this is not something that he tries to do, this is something that comes naturally to him. "I always want to play my natural game. This is my nature and I play my best when I am playing my natural game. So, this is not like I am manufacturing something out of the blue," the right-hand batter added.

Although he has won many trophies in club cricket over the years, Deepak believes that promoting one team to first-division is one of the achievements he will always remember. "Obviously when you play division cricket for so many years, you win trophies. But promoting one team to first-division from second division is very satisfying as a player."

Both the players thanked Cricket Association of Bengal and its members for completing all the tournaments despite lots of trouble and hiccups. "I personally want to thank CAB. The way they have completed the whole season is quite remarkable. Outstanding from them," Jayanta Dutta added.

Aryan Club (Women's) delivered a commanding performance to secure the C.A.B. Women's Club Cricket League (One-Day) Tournament 2024-2025 title, defeating Mohun Bagan A.C. (Women) by 47 runs in a thrilling final at the 22-Yards SP School Ground. 

Powered by a blazing knock from captain Tanusree Sarkar and a disciplined bowling effort, Aryan Club showcased their dominance in a match that had fans buzzing with excitement.

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Aryan Club’s Explosive Batting

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Aryan Club got off to a steady start with opener Dyuti Paul (23 off 23) and Sujata Dey taking the score to 28 for the first wicket.

However, it was captain Tanusree Sarkar who stole the show with a scintillating 76 off 50 balls, smashing 10 fours and a six at a strike rate of 152. Her aggressive strokeplay set the tone for Aryan’s innings. 

Priyanka Bala’s unbeaten 45 provided the perfect foil, anchoring the latter half with composure, while Jhumia Khatun chipped in with a quickfire 18. Despite Diya Nandi’s 2/38 for Mohun Bagan, Aryan Club posted a formidable 171/4 in their 25 overs, setting a challenging target.

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Mohun Bagan’s Valiant Chase Falls Short

Chasing 172, Mohun Bagan A.C. (Women) got off to a rocky start, losing Sneha Gupta (3) in the second over to Susmita Ganguly. 

Captain Ankita Chakraborty led the fightback with a resolute 46, partnering with Diya Nandi (32) for a crucial 71-run stand. However, Aryan’s bowlers struck back with precision.

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Sinjini Sarkar (2/28) removed both set batters in quick succession, triggering a collapse. Tanusree Sarkar (1/22) and Sritama Nandi (4/29) ran through the middle order, with Nandi’s sensational spell dismantling Mohun Bagan’s hopes. 

Dipa Das (29) and Puja Rajak (13) showed fight, but Jhumia Khatun’s late wickets, including a stumping, sealed Mohun Bagan’s fate at 128 all out in 25 overs.

In a nail-biting finale to the C.A.B. First Division (Senior Knock-Out) One Day Tournament 2024-2025, the defending champion Bhowanipur Club edged out E. Rly. Sports Association by a mere 5 runs in a 50-over thriller at the J.U. 2nd Campus Ground.

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Bhowanipur Club’s Resilient Batting

Opting to field after winning the toss, E. Rly. Sports Association struck early, with Nikhil Singh dismissing Bhowanipur’s opener Jayojit Basu for 7 in just the second over. 

However, a gritty 57 from captain Abhimanyu Easwaran steadied the ship, anchoring the innings with a composed knock. Aamir Gani’s classy 65, laced with five boundaries, and Vivek Singh’s explosive 58, featuring six fours and two sixes, propelled Bhowanipur to a competitive total.

Despite regular wickets, including a fiery spell from Tanmoy Pramanick (2/32) and Saiket Das (2/36), Bhowanipur managed to post 207 all out in 49.5 overs, thanks to a late flourish from Rajkumar Pal (26) and Ravi Kumar (18*).

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E. Rly. Sports Association’s Brave Chase

Chasing 208, E. Rly. Sports Association’s innings was anchored by a sensational 96 from Ravi Singh, who smashed six fours and two sixes in a match-defining knock.

Arijit Basu’s steady 44 provided early stability, but Bhowanipur’s bowlers kept the pressure on.

Ravi Kumar (2/40) removed opener Shivam Gautam early, while Aamir Gani’s spin accounted for Basu. The middle order struggled, with Jesal Karia (3/35) and Rajkumar Pal (3/25) wreaking havoc, dismissing key batsmen like Deepanshu Chaudhary and Priyam Sarkar.

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As the chase reached its climax, E. Rly. needed 19 runs off the final five overs with two wickets in hand. Nikhil Singh (29*) and Swapnil Choudhary (30) fought valiantly, but a sharp run-out by Rajkumar Pal and a final blow from Ravi Kumar, who trapped Wazid Hussain lbw, sealed the deal. E. Rly. finished agonizingly short at 202 all out in 49.1 overs.

Aamir Gani was adjudged the player of the match for his all-round brilliance. 

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.

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"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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.