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Follow UsSudip Chatterjee scored a stunning 170 from 199 balls in 40 degrees heat at Gyayeshpur stadium to help Mohun Bagan reach 635 in the First Division Qualifier Championship. The Bengal southpaw shared his thoughts on his goals and the next phase of the Ranji Trophy in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point.
Sudip's 170 was full of flair and class as he hit 22 boundaries and one over-boundary in quite a larger ground at Gayeshpur. His tremendous concentration was finally broken by Naushad Sagheer. The left-hander tried to pull one short-length ball from the medium-pacer and was caught in the deep-mid wicket region. But, he had done his job till then.
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"Happy to contribute to the team's cause"
"It feels always special to score runs for Mohun Bagan. I am really happy to contribute to the team's cause in a knock-out match like this," Sudip said after the match.
It is proven in the Maidans of Kolkata that as the temperature gets higher, better players show their class more. Sudip is no exception to that as well. With the second phase of the Ranji Trophy coming up, he feels this will enhance his preparation for the domestic season coming up.
"Obviously scoring runs help you in the preparation. But, scoring runs in this condition will surely enhance my preparation for the Ranji Trophy. I think this will help me to get accustomed to the weather better," he added.
"This is the first time that we are getting an off-period in the domestic season. This has given every player a chance to prepare better for the next phase."
However, Sudip was not at his best in the first phase of the Ranji Trophy. The southpaw now hopes to make it up in the next phase of the season. "Yes, I did not perform the way I would have liked. But, it is important to analyse our game and get better. I am working on myself in a positive way to help Bengal win the trophy," Sudip added.
After playing for 7 seasons in the domestic arena, Sudip has now one goal in front of him; to win the Ranji Trophy for Bengal.
"Last time we missed the chance by an inch. We played great cricket that season. We have started well this season as well. Now, we will just have to continue the momentum from the first phase."
"I believe now we can bounce back from any situation:" Sudip Chatterjee
"Look, we always had the team to win Ranji Trophy. Somehow, we were not able to catch the key moments in earlier years. But, from last season we have been good at catching the key moments. I believe now we can bounce back from any situation," he further added.
"At the domestic level, you will never have a smooth run. But, now we have a team environment where we trust in one another to get us back from any situation. I think this is our strength now."
On a personal note, Sudip now wants to be more consistent with the bat and help Mohun Bagan and Bengal win trophies.
"As a player, I have my own expectations from myself. I want to fulfil that. Moreover, I want to make those crucial runs for Bengal and Mohun Bagan when the team needs it the most," Sudip Chatterjee added.