"Keep an eye on Mita Paul and Dhara Gujjar": Former Indian Cricketer Gargi Banerjee after Byju's Bengal Women's T20 Blast

The Cricket Association of Bengal hosted India's one of the biggest women's T20 tournaments as Mohammedan Sporting Club won the inaugural season of Byju's Bengal Women's T20 Blast. Mohammedan outlasted the Rajasthan Club by seven wickets as both the captains of the teams caught the eyes of former India Women's Cricketer Gargi Banerjee.

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Mita Paul, who was the captain of the winning team scored 374 runs in the tournament. Along with getting the best batter award, she also won the "Player of the series award" as well. Meanwhile, Dhara Gujjar led the Rajasthan team to the final and was the player of the match in one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament. In fact, according to Gargi Banerjee, it was one of the best women's T20 matches she has ever seen.

Both Mita and Dhara have already played for the Bengal senior women's team. Though Mita was a bit off in the last season's senior Women's ODI tournament, Dhara was incredible at the top of the order for Bengal. However, both of them used the tournament with good use to catch the eyes of the former BCCI Women's selector and cricketer Gargi Banerjee.

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"There is a lot of talent in Bengal. Mita and Dhara have been undoubtedly fantastic in the tournament. Keep an eye on them. I think they are very close to knock the Indian team's doors if they can continue playing like this," Gargi Banerjee said in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point.

"I thank CAB for organising such a high standard tournament for the girls. Players who are still to play for Bengal got the taste of upper-level cricket. They will now know what they need to do to get better and fight for places in the Bengal team. For me, this is the best Women's tournament in India hosted by any state association."

Gargi Banejee, former India Cricketer

Not only that she was very impressed with the facilities CAB had for the players and teams. "Every team had a physio, masseur, coach and mentor. I loved how CAB went all-in with making the tournament look as professional as it can get. I am pretty sure every player will have a professional approach towards their career now," she added.

Not only that, Gargi Banerjee thinks there will be many new faces in the senior Bengal team after the tournament. The team for the Senior Womens' T20 Championship will be announced very soon.

Along with her, Charanjit Singh, coach of the Senior Bengal Women's team feels "CAB has done a wonderful job to give these young girls a massive platform to showcase their talents. Bengal team will surely benefit from this."

"The girls from various districts got to share the dressing rooms with legends like Rumeli Dhar. Moreover, they also got a close view of how state-level players prepare themselves for every match. They will learn immensely from the tournament. Kudos to Cricket Association of Bengal"

Charanjit Singh, Senior Bengal Women's Team

It was back in 2018-19 when Bengal won the U19 tournament and most of these players were under Coach Charanjit Singh who was back then the U19 coach of the Bengal Women's team. Interestingly, young guns like Dhara and Ankita Chakrobarty was part of that team as well.

Along with Mita and Dhara, it was the young all-rounder Titas Sadhu who impressed Charanjit Singh a lot. "Obviously Mita and Dhara did justice to their talents. But, to me, it's Titas Sadhu who has impressed me the most. She bowls real quick and only 17. A massive future is ahead of her," he added.

Both Mita Paul and Dhara Gujjar were overwhelmed with the praises they have received post the final. Mita, who hails from Chakdaha, the same place Jhulan Goswami comes from has now her eyes set on the next T20 tournament. "I think every player peaks at their own way. As of now, I am playing very good cricket. But I need to keep doing well for Bengal to knock the doors of the National Team," Mita said in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point.

"I have my eyes on the next T20 Tournament and then in the challengers. I know if I can do well for Bengal and then get in to the challengers, I can be very close to win that blue jersey.

Mita Paul, senior Bengal Women's Cricketer

Not only for her all-round ability, but Mita was also very much praised for her leadership skills as well. "We used to have a definite plan for each and every batter and bowler of the opponent. Priyanka di (Priyanka Roy, coach of the Mohammedan Sporting) used to help us a lot in that. Moreover, we had the bowlers to execute each plan as well. I think we had the most all-round team in the tournament," Mita added.

Along with Mita, it was senior wicket-keeper batter Priyanka Bala who had the responsibility of taking the team home. "Before the tournament, I had a word with Bala. The plan was for one of us to stay till the end. Even Srabani and Titas did their job with the bat as well," Mita sounded delighted for her teammates.

For your information, Mita won an astonishing 7 Player of the Match awards in 11 games she played in the Byju's Bengal Women's T20 Blast.

Meanwhile, her counterpart in the final, Dhara Gujjar is also focused on keep doing great for the Bengal team. Dhara, who started playing cricket with boys at the age of 11, was noticed by her father. And, with a blink of the eye, she was wearing the Bengal jersey with a bat in her hand in the Under 19 tournaments. Very pleasing to the eyes, Dhara looks a class apart from the rest of her competitors.

"My goal is to play for the National team within next 2-3 years. For that, I need to score runs for Bengal and help the team win more trophies. If I keep the process right, I think I will be on the right track." Dhara sounded confident in her voice.

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While sharing her thoughts on the semi-final against East Bengal Dhara said, "There was always a positive vibe in the team. We had a plan. And, the start from Saika (Isaque) gave the platform we needed to have the momentum. Preeti's (Mondal) knock was crucial as well".

Though it is not the first time Dhara was leading a team, she was quite inexperienced than other captains in the tournament. "I learnt a lot while playing under Jhulan (Goswami) di and Rumeli (Dhar) di while playing the seniors. That actually helped me grow as a leader," Dhara added.

"I think this tournament has helped to build my physical and mental strength a lot. Playing back to back matches with same intensity and consistency was a massive take away for me. I think if I keep learning from my mistakes and keep reacting well to the situations, I will be very close to make my dreams come true."

Dhara Gujjar, senior Bengal Women's Cricket Team

Along with all these cricketers, there were a few young players also who caught the eyes of Gargi Banerjee and Charanjit Singh. "Preeti Mondal. Bidisha Dey, Hrishita Basu, Sasthi Pal and Debalina Samanta are among the few youngsters who have everything to make their names in the Bengal cricket," said Gargi Banerjee.