Prayas Ray Barman in 2018-19 was the teenage kid that everyone wanted to be. From playing for the Bengal team and then getting picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, he had everything going for him. But, as they all say, cricket is a great leveller; his debut for RCB in the IPL was not as great as he wanted it to be. Prayas Ray Barman, the youngest cricketer ever to play in IPL shared this story in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point.

At 16 years and five months old, Prayas was playing for his favourite IPL team, RCB, after having a successful Vijay Hazare Trophy for Bengal in 2018. Prayas was Bengal's most successful bowler with 11 wickets in nine matches at an economy of 4.45.

Read Also: "Not. Done. Yet," Wriddhiman Saha points out that he is far from finishing yet

The tough times of 2019-20

That performance for Bengal saw him getting picked by RCB for Rs, 1.5 crores for IPL 2019. Soon, he also made his IPL debut for them under Virat Kohli against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Unfortunately, both David Warner and Jonny Bairstow put up a record opening partnership of 185 and Prayas finished with a bowling figure of 56 runs in his full quota of 4 overs. Things got worse for him as he suffered a stress fracture in his back which ruled him out for a few months as well. Besides, he missed the 2019 U-19 World Cup and then got a finger injury which led to him missing the 2019 Vijay Hazare Trophy as well.

However, now, the leg-spinner from Bengal feels he is physically fitter and mentally stronger and only wants to focus on doing good for Bengal. Prayas is currently in the Bengal U-25 squad and preparing for the next season with full intensity.

Last season, Prayas played for the Bhawanipore Club which emerged as the League champions of Kolkata Club cricket. However, Prayas did not feature in all the matches as he could not fit in the "team combination."

Read Also: "Working on my mental strength," Abishek Porel now wants to play all formats for Bengal

Prayas Ray Barman signs for Tapan Memorial

This season, after signing for Tapan Memorial, the club which Shahbaz Ahmed plays for, Barman feels he will get more matches to do justice to the potential he has. "Last year I improved a lot as a player. I got some wickets as well. And the team won the trophy as well. Yes, for some reason or team combination, I did not play all the games. So, now I feel, at Tapan, I will have more opportunity to make myself established as a batter and bowler," Prayas said.

As of now, the young all-rounder has his eyes set on the Under-25 season with the Bengal team. Moreover, he feels if he can do well for the u-25 team and can win trophies as a team, there are chances that the doors of the senior team might open for him.

"Currently my goal is to do well for the U-25 team:" Prayas Ray Barman

"Bengal team management always looked at us as the future of Bengal. Currently, the Bengal senior team is doing very well. So, I feel I can do well for the U-25 team and win trophies, my door for the Senior team might open. I just need to keep knocking at the door with my performances," Prayas expressed.

Although at age level cricket, Prayas Ray Barman was always told as a proper all-rounder, he feels bowling is his main forte. However, he is working very hard to contribute with the bat as well. "I feel I am a bowler first. But, I love to contribute with my batting as well. Even, if you see the Indian team, now you have to be prepared to contribute in every section. So, I am preparing myself in every possible way," he added.

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Post the 2018-19 season, a lot was expected from then, 17-year-old Prayas Ray Barman. Somehow, with injuries and tough times, he could not live up to that. However, the young leggie feels, he has learned from those early mistakes and is working every day to get better.

"I feel everything was too early for me. That time I did not expect that I will play everything at once. I played for the Bengal team, IPL and U-19 India at once. I made some mistakes that time. But, I have learned from those mistakes and am now prepared to face that level. Obviously, there were some expectations from me. But, at the end of the day, you have to be honest with yourself and have to be satisfied with yourself first," Prayas stated.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi just broke the record to become the youngest centurion in Indian Premier League history at the age of 14 years 32 days old. Not only that, with his 35-ball ton against Gujarat Titans, the opening batter from Bihar scored the second-fastest overall and fastest century by any Indian in IPL history. 

A moment he will never forget! 🩷

Vaibhav Suryavanshi earns applause from all corners after his historic knock 🫡👏

Updates ▶ https://t.co/HvqSuGgTlN#TATAIPL | #RRvGT | @rajasthanroyals pic.twitter.com/tcDTCWSWTh

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 28, 2025

"He is different from others"

Ashok Kumar, who coached Vaibhav in the Bihar U19 and men's senior team, feels that if Vaibhav Suryavanshi can work on his fielding and fitness, he will play for India in T20s in the next two years. The Bihar head coach shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point after Vaibhav's historical ton. 

"Before the match, I had a conversation with Vaibhav. I just advised him to be patient and wait for the balls in his zone," said Ashok Kumar, who feels the only thing that was missing from Vaibhav's game was patience. 

"Look, he is totally a unique player. He is different from others. I know he can be a match-winner for any team in this format," Ashok Kumar shared. 

Vaibhav was picked up by the Rajasthan Royals for a whopping 1.10 crore rupees, which made him the youngest player ever in the auction history. After that, Ashok Kumar knew that under Rahul Dravid, the youngster would learn lots of things in terms of cricket and life. 

Vaibhav not only learned but also impressed Rahul Dravid so much that he was handed the debut cap, and at just 14 years and a few days old, he became the youngest IPL player ever. Till then, everything has been like a dream for Vaibhav and his close ones. 

Read Also | Exclusive | "He has the intent to play at the highest level," Bihar head coach on Vaibhav Suryavanshi

An impactful debut

His six against Shardul Thakur in the first ball he faced in the IPL surprised everyone. Even the commentators were stunned to see the youngster stepping out against the pace of Shardul in a platform like the IPL. But Ashok Kumar knew from the beginning that he could do things like this. 

"I had told you earlier that he has the talent and intent to hit anyone. Everyone thinks that he is batting aggressively. But this is his actual style of batting. You make him play 90 90-over game, he will play like this. He is natural," he shared. 

"That is why I want to tell all the coaches he will meet in his life not to make him bat like others. He should not lose his intent," he added. 

Before the historical debut, Ashok Kumar had the chance to talk with Rahul Dravid, and he told the former India coach the same thing. 

"Even I told the same thing to (Rahul) Dravid sir. He also agreed that Vaibhav should not lose his intent. I told him to work on his bowling as well. He can be a match-winner for any team."

Read Also | IPL facts: Every player to make IPL debut before turning 18

"Vaibhav wants to finish matches"

Although Vaibhav had a great start to his IPL career in the first two games, he was not happy with himself for the way he got out in those matches. In fact, after the dismissal in the first match against LSG, everyone saw him shed a few drops of tears. That is why Ashok Kumar had advised him to have patience and only focus on the things which work well for him. 

"If you see his dismissal against RCB, he tried a shot that he had never played in the past. He has developed these kinds of shots in the camp. But I told him that you can try new things only after a few matches. I knew if he could wait for the bat balls, he was a good enough player to hit anyone," Ashok Kumar shared. 

"Vaibhav wants to finish games. I am sure he is disappointed not to be there till the win. And, for everyone out there, he is not a baccha (kid) in cricket. No one can call him that. Only I can call him that. It is only about time when the world realises that he is a man wrapped in a kid's body," he added. 

Vaibhav idolises Brian Lara since his childhood (although he is still a kid). He watches the former West Indian captain's old highlights to pick a few tricks to emulate. Tonight, after his ton, Brian Lara himself shared Vaibhav's video on Instagram, saying that he was entertained watching him bat. 

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"If someone like Lara is watching Vaibhav bat and appreciating him, it is a great thing for Bihar and Indian cricket. The youngster in Bihar would be inspired by watching his growth. He will always have my support in his life and career," Ahsok Kumar expressed. 

During the Bengal vs Bihar match, Vaibhav Suryvanshi had told me that he idolises Brian Lara!

Brian Lara just posted an Instagram post showing Vaibhav’s batting!

This is success! This is what IPL can do!

Congratulations! #vaibhavsuryavanshi

— Koushik Biswas (@kbofficial25) April 28, 2025

Despite valiant efforts from Bengal Ranji captain Anustup Majumdar, Bhowanipur defeated Kalighat by a huge margin of 258 runs in the semi-final of the C.A.B. First Division League Championship on Saturday at J.U. Second Campus Ground in Kolkata. On the other hand, East Bengal won the Kolkata derby at the Videocon Ground by defeating Mohun Bagan by 77 runs to reach the final of the tournament. 

Bhawanipore win despite Anustup's 154

Chasing down Bhowanipur's mammoth 618-run target looked impossible from the start of the second inning for Kalighat. But when you have someone like Anustup Majumdar in your dressing room, you can hope for a miracle. But, that was not to be for Kalighat Club as despite a valiant 154 from 190 balls from the Bengal captain, Bhowanipur managed a huge 258-run win to enter the final. 

At the end of Day 2, Kalighat were at 188/2 and needed 430 runs in 552 balls to complete a historical chase. Anustup Majumdar was at the crease on 107 from 127 balls along with Subham Chatterjee, who was one of their best batters in the tournament so far. 

But, as soon as Rajkumar Pal opened the gate for Bhowanipur by dismissing Subham early on day 3, everything looked out of reach for Kalighat. Rajkumar then removed Kalighat's hero of the quarterfinal, Writam Porel, to make it a one-man battle for Kalighat. 

Arun Chaprana tried his best with his 32 off 35 balls, but Pradipta Pramanik proved to be too good for him. Pradipta then played the decisive move of the match by dismissing Anustup Majumdar on 154 to go one step closer to the final. 

Left-arm pacer Ravi Kumar then broke through the lower middle order, to make sure the defending champion would en route to defend their title in the mega final as Kalighat were bundled out for 359. Ravi Kumar with 66/4 was the pick of the bowlers for Bhowanipur along with Pradipta Pramanik, who took 3 wickets for 75. 

Abhimanyu Easwaran was named the player of the match for his 149 in the first inning. Shakir Habib Gandhi and Vivek Singh were the other centurions for them.

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

East Bengal win the Kolkata derby despite Suvankar Bal's 148

In the second semi-final, Mohun Bagan were chasing East Bengal's steep 410-run target. But at 146/5 at the end of day 2, their fate depended on Suvankar Bal's bat. Bal had already crossed his fifty, but needed a good partner at the other end to support him. 

Vikas Singh did his best by building a 77-run partnership for the sixth wicket. But after Writtick Chatterjee dismissed him on 37, Bal had to build another partnership under the scorching heat at the Videocon Ground, in Kolkata. Sourav Halder then played a handy knock of 48 off 88 balls to shift the game towards Mohun Bagan a bit, with Suvankar Bal smashing bowlers from the other end. 

Bal completed his hundred in 229 balls, and with four wickets in hand, it was all about East Bengal getting his wicket or him taking Mohun Bagan over the line. But East Bengal bowler Shreyan Chakraborty did the trick for East Bengal by first breaking the partnership and dismissing Sourav Halder. 

Shreyan then picked up Anurag Tiwari's wicket to make Bal feel helpless at the other end. Rohit Kumar's run out meant Bal had no other option but to go for the biggies. Shreyan then picked up Bal's wicket to send East Bengal to the final. 

Bal's valiant 148 went in vain as Mohun Bagan lost the semi-final by 77 runs. Shreyan Chakraborty with 67/4 was the pick of the bowlers for East Bengal. Sandipan Das won the player of the match for his unbeaten 108 in the first inning. Satyaki Dutta were the other centurion for East Bengal in the match.

The final will be played at the Eden Gardens after the completion of IPL 2025.

East Bengal scored 409/9 in the first inning against arch-rival Mohun Bagan A.C. with the help of a stunning unbeaten ton from Sandipan Das on Day 2 of the C.A.B. First Division Championship semifinal. In the second semi-final, Bhowanipur have nearly thrown Kalighat away by scoring a mammoth 617/6 in the first inning as Vivek Singh scored 129 from 166 balls for them. 

East Bengal in slight favour after day 2 of Kolkata derby

The second day of the Kolkata derby in the C.A.B. First Division Championship semi-final saw many ups and downs throughout the entire day. East Bengal, who were at 310/6, were depending on former U-19 World Cup winner Sandipan Das to take them over 400. Shreyan Chakraborty did his part by building a 59-run partnership for the 7th wicket. 

But, after Shreyan's dismissal (30 off 64), all-rounders Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal and Kanishk Seth could not add much to the total. But Sandipan made sure he faced most of the deliveries and strikes at a blistering pace. The right-handed middle-order batter not only reached his hundred but also made sure that East Bengal gave Mohun Bagan a steep total to chase down in the second inning. 

East Bengal finished on 409/9 as Sandipan remained unbeaten on 108 off 236 balls. 

Suraj gave East Bengal the perfect start

In the second inning, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Bengal's highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season, made sure the Red and Gold brigade got the perfect start. The right-handed pacer removed Shantanu in the first ball of the inning and looked lethal from the word go. 

Mohun Bagan were put under tremendous pressure after captain Sudip Kumar Gharami was also dismissed by Kanishk Seth for just 8. Kanishk, East Bengal's player of the match in the quarter-final, went through the defences of Bengal's white-ball captain and cleaned up his stumps. 

Vikas Singh then trapped Avilin Ghosh in front of the wicket just for 1. Avilin was Mohun Bagan's Cricketer of the Year last season and saved many games for them in this kind of situation. But, Vikas proved to be too good for him. 

Read Also | Exclusive Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal: "Jumping out" from tough times to become Bengal's star of the season

At 29/3, Mohun Bagan looked nearly out of the game, but Ranjot Singh Khaira, centurion from the quarter-final, tried to build a partnership with Suvankar Bal. But Shreyan Chakraborty went through his defence with his left-arm spin to send him back to the dressing room after a good-looking 45 off 68 balls. 

Gitansh Khera was also cleaned up by Vikas Singh on 19. Suvankar Bal, meanwhile, completed his well-paced fifty and is the lone batter at the crease for Mohun Bagan at the end of Day 2. Though Mohun Bagan's tail is totally capable of hitting the ball long, at 146/5, Mohun Bagan's fate will be decided on Suvankar Bal's bat on the final day of the match. 

Mohun Bagan now require 264 runs in 522 balls, while East Bengal need five wickets to qualify for the final.

Read Also |

Bhowanipur cruising, Anustup fighting a battle for Kalighat

In the second semi-final at the J.U. 2nd Campus Ground in Salt Lake, Bhowanipur cruised to a mammoth 617/6 in the first inning after Vivek Singh became the third centurion from the defending champion after Abhimanyu Easwaran and Shakir Habib Gandhi scored centuries on Day 1. 

Vivek, who now plays for the Railways team in Indian domestic cricket, showcased his power and skill to ease to his hundred. Vivek was eventually stumped out by Arun Chaprana on 129 from 166 balls. Meanwhile, experienced Arindam Ghosh added 52 while Aaamir Gani added a quick 32 off 34 balls to take Bhowanipur's total to 617 in the first inning. 

Anustup's ton kept Kalighat in the game

Ravi Kumar, the left-arm pacer, continued the momentum for Bhowanipur by dismissing Shreyansh Ghosh in the first over. But, ever dependable Anustup Majumdar and Koushik Ghosh made sure Kalighat didn't leave without a fight. 

Koushik and Anustup added 127 runs for the second wicket. However, Koushik would be disappointed not to get a big score as he was caught behind by Ravi Kumar, who was the pick of the bowlers on Day 2. 

Read Also | Bengal Cricket Exclusive: Inspired by Anustup Majumdar's journey, Sumanta Gupta wants to achieve bigger things for Bengal

But, as they say, great players know when to put their hands up and show the path to the entire team. Bengal and Kalighat captain Anustup Majumdar raced to another ton in his club career to give some fight to Bhowanipur's huge total.

At the end of the day, Anustup is unbeaten on 107 off 127 balls while Subham Chatterjee, the double centurion from the pre-quarter final, is with him on 23 off 40 balls. Kalighat finished day 2 at 188/2 and need 430 runs in 552 balls to complete a historical chase.

East Bengal's Satyaki Dutta scored a stunning century to help the Red and Gold Ultras post 310/6 on day 1 of the Kolkata Derby in C.A.B. First Division Championship semi-final on Thursday at Videocon Ground. 

Game in balance despite Satayki's ton

East Bengal captain Writtick Chatterjee won the toss and decided to bat first in a high-voltage match like the Kolkata derby, where winning the bragging rights is more than anything. But, his decision was struck by an unfortunate run out of opener Abhisek Das, who was set on 26 off 44 balls. 

But post the first wicket, Arindam Ghosh and Satyaki Dutta, East Bengal's highest run scorer last season, took the initiative to put up a solid platform for the other batters to cash in. 

Satyaki Dutta returned to the dressing room after a great knock of 107 off 137 balls. Vikas Singh broke the 162-run partnership for Mohun Bagan to make a comeback in the match. 

Read Also | Bengal Cricket Exclusive: "We all know this game can make us heroes to the fans," East Bengal's Satyaki Dutta ahead of Kolkata Derby

At 194/2, East Bengal were all set to put up a huge score in the first inning. But Mohun Bagan struck back with back-to-back wickets. Vikash Singh dismissed East Bengal captain Writtick Chatterjee, and just when East Bengal tried to build another big partnership, Sourav Halder dismantled Arindam Ghosh's stumps after his 78 off 229 balls. 

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Agniv Pan tried to score some quick runs and bring the momentum to East Bengal, but Halder dismissed him after 21 off 27 balls to bring the game in balance. Former Mumbai Indians batter Amitoze Singh also departed after 8 off 17, and East Bengal now will depend on Sandipan Das and Shreyan Chakraborty to take them over 400 on day 2. 

Sandipan Das is currently unbeaten on 45 off 86 balls while Shreyan is batting on 8 off 19. For Mohun Bagan, Vikash Singh was the pick of the bowlers with 45/2 in 21 overs. 

In the other semi-final at  J.U. 2nd Campus Ground in Salt Lake, Bhowanipur dominated Kalighat bowlers by scoring 348/4 on day 1. Bhowanipur captain Abhimanyu Easwaran won the toss and decided to bat first. And, he made sure he himself proved his decision right. 

Abhishek Raman (41 off 63) gave a solid opening start with his Bengal opening partner Easwaran. But Kalighat made a quick comeback in the match after dismissing Jayojit Basu on a duck. 

Read Also | Bengal Cricket Exclusive: "My time will come," confident Habib Gandhi after 168 in first division quarter-final

Post that, it was all about the 243-run partnership between Abhimanyu Easwaran and Shakir Habib Gandhi. Easwaran returned to the dressing room after a solid 149 off 208 balls. Meanwhile, Shakir Habib Gandhi, who had scored an unbeaten 168 in the quarter-final, continued his form with a 119 from 171 balls. 

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Vivek Singh and Arindam Ghosh are at the crease for Bhowanipur at the moment after the end of Day 1. Durgesh Kumar Dubey and Arun Chaprana picked up two wickets each for Kalighat.

Satyaki Dutta has been one of the most underrated cricketers in Bengal over the past few seasons. The young batting all-rounder progressed through the ranks of Kolkata club cricket and has been playing for East Bengal since last season.

Despite scoring two centuries in two semi-finals last season, he could not lead East Bengal to victory. This season, having made it to the semi-finals again, he is determined to bring the trophy to East Bengal fans.

Ahead of the highly anticipated Kolkata Derby against arch-rival Mohun Bagan Athletic Club, Satyaki shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point.

"Always tried to focus on my strengths"

Despite being one of the most consistent batters in Bengal, along with his ability to bowl wholeheartedly for his team, Satyaki has yet to break through to the senior Bengal team. Not only that, despite winning the "East Bengal's Cricketer of the Year Award", Satyaki was told he was not good enough by many. 

But just like many champion athletes, this has only made him stronger and better. Besides working on his strength, Satyaki made sure he found the small loopholes in his game and worked on them under East Bengal coach Abdul Monayem.

"I have always tried to focus on my strengths. I know what my capabilities are. And, when you're playing for a public club like East Bengal, you have to keep on improving," Satyaki told Sportz Point.

Read Also | Bengal Cricket: East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Kalighat and Bhowanipur qualify for the Championship semis

The first-class dream

Last season, Satyaki came very close to making the Bengal team, but it didn't happen for him. He understands that until his dream of wearing the Bengal cap is fulfilled, he must continue to find ways to improve each day.

"Playing first-class cricket is my dream. Everyone in Bengal starts playing with that dream only. Obviously, even if you do not want it, it runs at the back of your mind. But, I know, if I can help big teams like East Bengal win trophies, I will be getting closer to that dream," Satyaki added. 

Read Also: Bengal Cricket Exclusive: "When the opposition is down, choke them to defeat," Ranjot Khaira's Aussie mentality is a booster for Mohun Bagan.

"Trying to bring out more intent in my game"

In the 2023-24 season, Satyaki was East Bengal's highest run-getter, but despite that, there were questions about his intent and strike rate. Satyaki worked on that during the entire off-season so that he could minimise any weakness in his batting. His 50 from 39 balls against Shambazar Club in the C.A.B. First Division Championship quarter-finals is a testament to that. 

"After last season, there were a few questions asked about my strike rate. This season, I have worked hard on that and am trying to bring out more intent in my game. I feel this can take my game to another level if I can keep up the intent I have shown," Satyaki expressed.

Read Also: Bengal Ranji Team in the Last Three Seasons: 13 opening combinations, 22 debutants and many more numbers.

Competition with other all-rounders

Since Laxmi Ratan Shukla's retirement, Bengal have tried to find the next pace bowling all-rounder for years, but none has been able to cement his place with great performances. Satayki knows there is a tough battle between a few of the players for just one or two places in the team. 

Interestingly, this competition extends to the East Bengal team as well. Ayan Bhattacharjee, one of the finest all-rounders, is also vying for a spot on the Bengal team and is Satyaki's teammate at East Bengal.

Competition? For Satyaki, it is all about doing well for the team.

"This is quite public now. Four or five players are fighting for that place in the Bengal team. There is nothing to hide that Ayan and I are also fighting for that place. But for both of us, it is all about doing well for East Bengal. Rest is in the hands of selectors and God," Satyaki stated.

"Moreover, you have to remember that I play as a batting all-rounder while others play as a bowling all-rounder," he added.

Read Also | Where Are They Now: Last Time Bengal Men's Cricket Team Won A Trophy

"This game can make us heroes to the fans"

Satyaki does not want to focus on all of these equations of selections, next season, the Bengal Pro T20 League. His main focus is now the big semifinal against Mohun Bagan. Satyaki knows the value of a Kolkata derby, and his heartbreak from last season is only making him prepare better for the clash. 

"Last season, we lost two semi-finals. I scored two centuries, but in a team game, winning the trophies is the biggest goal. This season, I want to play that final, and for that, I am willing to do anything," Satyaki described. 

"I know it won't be easy against a team like Mohun Bagan. But we have a team that can take on any team. We all know the value of a Kolkata derby. This match can make anyone a hero. Let's hope we can bring joy to East Bengal fans this time," the all-rounder manifested.