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