/sportzpoint/media/agency_attachments/5J7QNb4CjhIemgV0IYQL.png)
/sportzpoint/media/member_avatars/dp isl.jpeg )
Follow UsRed ball cricket made a comeback on Wednesday in Kolkata as club teams fight out for the first division and second division championships. Bengal cricket season was interrupted by the covid when in the 2019-20 season the league was cancelled mid-period. Post that, this is the first time CAB could arrange the league cricket in full swing. Pritam Chakraborty, a former India U-19 who featured in two first-class games in the 2014-15 season shares his thoughts on the red ball's comeback in Bengal cricket.
Pritam looked lethal swinging the ball both ways as he took his first five-for of the season. In a match between Kalighat Club and YMCA (COLL. BR.) Pritam's bowling figure was 10-2-26-6. YMCA was bundled out for 67 as Pritam bagged his first Man of the Match award of the league season as well. "It was great to be in the whites once again. I love red-ball cricket. This is what I thrive for. It feels great to take a six-for in the first match as well," Pritam sounded delighted in an exclusive interview over a phone call with Sportz Point.
"The league started after March 2020. We all were waiting for it. I was prepared and worked hard with the Kalighat club coach Sanjib Sanyal to keep myself ready for the league," Pritam added.
Read Also: Last 11 winners of ICC U19 Cricket World Cup
Pritam, who was a well-known entity in the under-age cricket for Bengal was pushed into the Ranji Trophy team in the 2014-15 season. He was raw and young. However, the pacer could not make any mark as he was dropped after only two games that season. Meanwhile, Pritam was quite good in the T20 format taking 5 wickets at an economy of 5 in his 5 matches. Post some good performances, he was named on the standby list in the 2018 season for Bengal.
"I am more mature now as a bowler. I understand my game better now. Currently, my only aim is to take over 50 wickets this season and make my comeback in the Bengal team."
Pritam Chakrobarty on his future goals.
"As a team, we are looking to win trophies. In fact, we are aiming for three-on-three (Three championship trophies). We have done it in the past. We are focusing on every game as the team is ready to make a promotion in the A group," Pritam shared Kalighat Club's goal this season. For your information, Kalighat did a five-on-five when Bengal cricket's legends like Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Ashoke Dinda were in the team.
Read Also: "I had planned to play 200 balls", U19 cricketer Abishek Porel shares his success-mantra
Those who follow Bengal cricket would know Pritam is very handy with the bat as well down the order. This tall pacer can donk the ball like any batter. "Now-a-days everyone should have added skills in their bag to play a better level of cricket. I am trying to contribute with the bat as well. I have played some vital knocks for Mohun Bagan in the past," Pritam on his batting skill.
Recently Bengal cricket is getting criticised for giving opportunities to other state players rather than grooming their own. "I am sure other states do not allow Bengal players to get a place in their teams. People who are performing in the club cricket and from Bengal deserves a long run on the first-class arena," Pritam added to the topic.
However, Pritam thinks CAB is doing a great job in promoting district cricket for the players. "It is a great opportunity for the players outside Kolkata to make their names through district cricket. In fact, I played for the Howrah district for the first time. The quality of the tournament was great."
Sportz Point wishes luck to Pritam Chakraborty on his mission to make his first-class comeback.