Bengal Cricket: Sporting Union wants to do something special on 125th anniversary; Khidirpore targets Group-A

Sporting Union and Khidirpore Club are one of the oldest and most reputed cricket clubs of Kolkata Maidan. However, both the teams somehow lost the reputation of being the maidan giants in recent years. But, with the new season kicking off, both teams are looking to redeem their old glory in Bengal cricket. Today, both teams signed new players for their upcoming season.

Sporting Union Club, where former Indian captain Dilip Doshi played, will celebrate their 125th anniversary this year. Therefore, club management and the whole team want to do something special for their fans and well-wishers. That is the reason, they have roped in former Bengal cricketer, Surojit to lead the captain. Along with him, senior players like Atanu Ghosh, Tanujit Acharjee, and Akhilesh Yadav are there too. Meanwhile, youngsters like Aishik Patel and Debatnu Baidya will be the players to watch out for from the team.

Sporting Union coach Sanat Bhattacharya has said, "I have played for this club in my days. It is a responsibility to coach this prestigious club. We have a great combination of youth and experience. Hopefully, we will do some good this year."

Club Chief Patron Shivaji Ray ( Ex East Zone Captain ) echoed the same thoughts of the coach. He feels that the squad has the talent to make it big for the club. Although there are few young players, they are keepable to do justice to the reputation the club has.

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Bappaditya Ray, cricket Patron & Official of the club believes that having Surojit on the squad will be a huge booster for the young boys. Moreover, he is certain that the team will do everything possible to make the 125th year anniversary of the club special.

On the other hand, Khidirpore Club has the goal to make it to the Group-A of the 1st Divison Cricket in Kolkata cricket. Rahul Deb, the former Bengal and Railways cricketer who joined the team as a coach one season ago feels, they have the right kind of balance to make it to Group-A.

In an exclusive interview with Sportz Point, Rahul said, "Look, if I describe it to you in a sentence, qualifying for the Group-A is the main target for us. We have built a good squad with some young cricketers along with experienced cricketers like Satyaki Dutta, Avijit Mondal, Suman Pashi and Abhishek Banerjee who got the experience of playing against teams like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in Bengal Cricket."

"Last year we had a pretty average team and boys played so well that we were saved. But, as we have a better team on paper this year, it does not guarantee you any success. So we will have to work really hard in the pre-season and play well throughout the season to reach our goal," Rahul Deb added.

Khidirpore will be doing their pre-season training at the RDMP Institute of Cricket which is run by Rahul Deb and his wife Mithu Paul Deb.