Bengal finished day 2 of their Ranji Trophy 2024 campaign opener on a great note but Andhra Pradesh fought back on day 3 to keep themselves alive at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vizag. Debutant Mohammad Kaif's fiery spell couldn't help Bengal as they only have a 70-run lead now before going into day 4 of their Ranji Trophy 2024 opener against Andhra Pradesh.
Despite losing the important wicket of Hanuma Vihari at the end of the first session, Bhui kept pushing forward and ultimately kept his side very much alive in the match. Bengal could only manage to take 3 wickets on day 3 as Andhra made 210 runs courtesy of Ricky Bhui's superb century.
Andhra Pradesh started slowly as Ricky Bhui was a new batsman on the crease at the start of day 3. Bhui then formed an impressive 87-run partnership with Hanuma Vihari before Akash Deep sent Vihari to the dressing room. Hanuma played his natural game and scored a half-century but couldn't help Bhui more.
Bhui played according to the situation. He is known for his aggressiveness as he loves to counterattack the bowlers which is needed sometimes in red-ball cricket but not in this situation. The game was stable but if Andhra had to come closer to Bengal's score, then Bhui had to play sincerely and he did just that. It took Bhui 233 balls to reach his 15th First-Class hundred and Andhra came 70 runs closer to Bengal's 409.
After Vihari's fall, Andhra Pradesh lost another wicket, right after the start of session 2 and it was Ishan Porel who came up with the wicket. Bengal made a comeback but couldn't capitalize on that as Bhui then added a 71-run partnership with Nitish Kumar for the 6th wicket. Kaif bagged his second Ranji Trophy wicket by dismissing Nitish for 30 runs but Bhui then used Shoaib brilliantly and added 61 runs for the 7th wicket which will continue on day 4 as both batters are not out and are playing without any hesitation.
Bhui knew he had to form partnership after partnership if his side had to reach anywhere close to Bengal's score and he delivered. The debutant, Moammad Kaif bowled beautifully his 25 overs, giving away only 37 runs. He showed his class and picked his second wicket of the match but it couldn't help Bengal too much.
Bengal are still leading by 70 runs and they have to break the partnership between Shoaib and Bhui right after the resumption of the match on day 4 if they want to save any of their lead. But both batters are looking solid with Bhui not out on 107 and Shoaib nearing his half-century and batting on 31.
Foreign players asked to return to their country as IPL 2025 postponed for a week due to India-Pakistan tension
If the IPL 2025 resumes at the end of May, most of the foreign players will be able to return. The teams believe so. If these matches are played after May 25, it will be difficult for the players to return.
Due to the increasing conflict between India and Pakistan, BCCI has postponed the IPL 2025 for a week. BCCI gave this information on Friday. The board said that it has taken this decision keeping in mind the concerns of the players and the sentiments of the fans. The new schedule of IPL will be released depending on the situation.
At the same time, according to media reports, all foreign players have been asked to return to their country. Meanwhile, Cricket Australia and South Africa Cricket Board have expressed concern over their players. There are still 12 league matches and 4 playoff matches left in IPL 2025. The final of the tournament was to be held on 25 May.
It is believed that India's tour of Bangladesh in August will be cancelled. The Asia Cup to be held in September will also be postponed. The remaining matches of IPL can be held in India in their place.
It is difficult for BCCI to bring back foreign players
The biggest challenge for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in resuming the IPL in May is to bring back foreign players. As soon as the IPL was announced to be postponed for a week, most of the foreign players returned to their respective countries. The remaining players will leave India by Saturday.
It will be interesting to see how BCCI brings back the foreign players and restarts the tournament. Because without them, it will be difficult to organize matches.
Players will start playing for the country
If the IPL resumes at the end of May, most of the foreign players will be able to return. The teams believe so. If these matches are played after May 25, it will be difficult for the players to return. The biggest reason for this is that many players will be playing for their national team then.
The final of the World Test Championship (WTC) is also scheduled to be held between the Australia and the South Africa at Lord's from June 11.
Starting the tournament is not easy
BCCI has kept all three grounds ready. Despite this, officials believe that it will not be easy to restart this competition now. All the teams were informed about this on Friday without any formal announcement. People from many teams are saying that all the remaining matches can be held at the end of the year.
Punjab-Delhi match had to be canceled midway
On the night of 8 May at around 8.30 pm, Pakistan attacked the borders of Jammu, Punjab and Rajasthan of India with missiles and drones. During this time, a match was being played between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. It had to be stopped midway.
Gujarat on top, 3 teams out of the playoffs race
By the time IPL 2025 was halted midway, 57 matches of the league stage had been completed. The 58th match was halted midway. After 57 matches, Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bangalore had the highest points in the points table with 16-16 points.
GT remained on top due to better run rate. Punjab was third, Mumbai fourth and Delhi fifth. Whereas Chennai, Rajasthan and Hyderabad teams were out of the playoff race.
When the tournament was stopped, 4 teams had 2-2 matches left. Whereas 6 teams including Gujarat and Bangalore had not played 3-3 matches. A match was to be played between Lucknow and Bangalore in Lucknow on Friday, but the tournament was stopped before that.
C.A.B. postpones Bengal Pro T20 League 2025 amid rising tension between India and Pakistan
The Cricket Association of Bengal (C.A.B.) has postponed the second season of the Bengal Pro T20 League due to rising tension between India and Pakistan.
The Cricket Association of Bengal (C.A.B.) has postponed the second season of the Bengal Pro T20 League due to rising tension between India and Pakistan.
The women's tournament was about to start on May 16 in Birbhum, while the men's tournament was set to kick off from June 4 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
In an official press release, the C.A.B. stated, "Considering the prevailing national circumstances, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has decided to postpone the start of Bengal Pro T20 League Season 2 and thus all pre-events related with it, until further notice. A revised schedule, including updated venues and fixtures, will be shared after a detailed review of the situation in coordination with relevant authorities and stakeholders and any advisory as issued by the BCCI."
"In these testing times, the Cricket Association of Bengal stands in full solidarity with the nation. We wholeheartedly support the efforts of the Government of India and salute the courage and dedication of our armed forces, whose unwavering service under Operation Sindoor is a source of pride and inspiration for all Indians."
"Cricket has always united us, but in moments like these, we are reminded that our foremost duty is to the country. The CAB remains deeply committed to the principles of national unity and security, and every step we take will reflect that commitment."
"We are grateful to all the stakeholders of the League for standing by us and for their shared resolve to prioritise national interest over everything else."
Exclusive: "I would love to see more sixes, more runs," Shreevats Goswami wants bigger scores in Bengal Pro T20 League 2025
Shreevats Goswami, the former Bengal and IPL cricketer, would love to see more sixes and bigger scores in Bengal Pro T20 League 2025 to attract more fans and IPL scouts.
The second season of the Bengal Pro T20 League is set to commence on May 16, starting with the women's tournament, while the men's tournament will begin on June 4. Although the first season was relatively successful, the fans were somewhat disappointed by the limited runs scored by the batters. Shreevats Gowasmi, a former Bengal and IPL cricketer, hopes to see more runs this season to attract both scouts and fans.
Goswami, a 2008 ICC U-19 World Cup winner and the recipient of the 2008 IPL Emerging Player of the Year award, shared his insights in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point.
"Youngsters should focus on performing in state tournaments like BPT20L
Sudip Gharami (left) and Mukesh Kumar with the Bengal Pro T20 League trophy before the final last season. Image | Facebook
The former left-handed top-order batter, who is a commentator and cricket analyst now, emphasised the significance of local state leagues in a recent Instagram post, highlighting the necessity for players to focus on these leagues before aspiring for larger platforms like the Indian Premier League.
"I.P.L. teams are always on the lookout for unknown talents who can surprise opponents. Players like Priyansh Arya, Aniket Verma, Vignesh Puthur, and Digvesh Rathi were relatively unknown before entering the I.P.L. All of them made a significant impact in their first few games. This is what teams are currently seeking," Goswami told Sportz Point.
"Since I.P.L. teams now send scouts to observe performances in state T20 leagues, there's always a possibility of getting noticed through these leagues. Thus, players must concentrate on delivering strong performances in tournaments like the Bengal Pro T20 League," he added.
In addition to providing a platform for players, Goswami believes these leagues can also benefit the states by helping identify the next generation of cricketers.
"With these leagues comprising 5-7 franchise teams, they offer a pool of players to evaluate. This also aids states in discovering their next wave of talent. So, it works well for both young players and the states," Goswami expressed.
Read Also | Exclusive: Bowls like Malinga, once doubted by her family, Nadia's Sonali Das is set for Bengal Pro T20 League dreams after an 8-wicket haul in School Cricket
"I would love to see more sixes and bigger scores"
Anustup Majumdar playing a cover drive during Bengal Pro T20 League 2024.
To attract fans and impress scouts in a T20 format, significant scores and exhilarating last-ball finishes are crucial. These elements highlight the skills of the batters while challenging bowlers in high-pressure situations similar to those encountered in the I.P.L.
For example, Priyansh Arya made headlines in the Delhi Premier League by hitting six sixes in an over during his knock of 120 runs off 50 balls. Ashwani Kumar bowled six yorkers in an over in the Sher E Punjab T20 Trophy in 2024.
"The only thing I want to see this season in the Bengal Pro T20 League is big sixes and bigger scores. More scores in the range of 180-200, or even greater, will challenge the batters to aim for large hits during chases, while also providing opportunities for bowlers to excel in demanding conditions," Goswami stated.
"However, given all the I.P.L. matches and club games throughout the season, it may be challenging to secure batting-friendly pitches. Nevertheless, I am confident that the C.A.B. will make an effort to prepare batting-friendly wickets this season," he added.
Virat Kohli practising in an open net for RCB. Image | RCB
To achieve high scores and experience impactful performances, Bengal's highest run scorer of Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy feels that batters need to adopt a more fearless approach. As one of Bengal's greatest white-ball batters, he advises players to engage in open net sessions to enhance their hitting skills.
"I would recommend that young batters spend more time in open nets. See if you can clear the boundaries or not. Aim to hit 100 sixes every day from the centre of the ground. This will help them understand their abilities and better prepare for matches," Goswami shared.
Using the example of a talented 14-year-old, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Shreevats noted, "Look at someone like Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Even at such a young age, his hitting ability rivals that of anyone in the I.P.L. How does he achieve that? First, he has a fearless mindset, and second, he practices hitting big sixes."
"Developing the habit of hitting sixes is essential for success in leagues like the Bengal Pro T20 League."
Shreevats Goswami with other Bengal players pictured after their triumph in VHT 2012.
The last time Bengal won a white-ball tournament was in 2012 when they lifted the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with Shreevats as the opener for the team. Since then, they have struggled to achieve similar success in white-ball cricket. While they have reached a few finals in red-ball formats, their white-ball accomplishments have been elusive.
Shreevats believes that to thrive in the white-ball format or T20 cricket, players must engage in more T20-specific practices. Additionally, he feels that academies should provide grounds that allow for more open net sessions.
"It is quite basic. Batters need to participate in more T20-focused practices. For that, access to open nets at training academies would greatly benefit the players."
Shreevats, who became a cricketing star even before turning 18, believes that to cultivate more white-ball talents at a young age, guardians need to place greater trust in coaches and allow them to develop the children. Additionally, coaches should engage with the kids to understand their aspirations and then guide them accordingly.
“To develop any cricketer, guardians need to have more confidence in the coach's abilities, and coaches should ask the kids what they want to achieve. After understanding their goals, coaches can guide them in the right direction,” Goswami shared.
Bengal Pro T20 League Exclusive: 9 cricketers teams should go after, who did not play or got picked last time
Here are the 9 cricketers from Bengal whom Bengal Pro T20 League franchises should go after this season. The list has been created with cricketers to did not play or were picked in the last season.
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)
Image | Facebook
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.
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.
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.
Priyanshu with former India Men's Cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid. Image - Instagram.
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.
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.
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)
Image | C.A.B.
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.
Bengal Cricket Exclusive: 45 wickets last season, getting wickets on flattest of pitches, Ravi Kumar hoping for a first-class debut next season
Ravi Kumar, the ICC U-19 World Cup 2022 winner, has yet to earn his first-class cap for Bengal despite taking 45 wickets last season for Bhowanipur Club.
Ravi Kumar, the star of the ICC U-19 World Cup 2022 victory for India, has so far played only 5 T20 games for Bengal. Whereas other players from that 2022 batch have gone on to play for their states, IPL teams or even India A, Ravi was not even tried in the first-class arena by the Bengal team management.
Do you know that Ravi missed the IPL 2022 Auction because he had not featured for Bengal in any senior game before the auction?
Despite taking 45 wickets last season for Bhowanipur Club, the most by any pacer in C.A.B. First Division Cricket, Ravi was heartbroken not to get a first-class cap for Bengal. Not only that, he was also part of the team which won every single possible trophy in the Kolkata Club Cricket last season.
After another stunning performance, on one of the flattest pitches of the season, where more than 700 runs were scored, Sportz Point sat with Ravi Kumar for an exclusive interview.
"Performing well on flat pitches gives you added confidence"
Ravi after getting a wicket for Bhowanipur Club. Image | C.A.B.
Ravi showed his skill and class in the Kalighat vs Bhowanipur C.A.B. First Division League semi-final with a 4-wicket haul that helped Bhowanipur enter the final for consecutive seasons. On a pitch where getting a dot ball was tough, Ravi made sure he stuck to his strength of bowling good length to take wickets.
"It gives you added confidence when you do well on those kinds of pitches. It was flat. So, I had to be patient with my line and length to achieve success. Getting the first wicket in the first over itself was an advantage as well," Ravi told Sportz Point.
"Whenever you have more than 500 or 600 on the board, you get that extra cushion as a bowling unit. But, when you have someone like Anustup Majumdar in the opponent lineup, you need to be accurate with every ball," the 21-year-old pacer added.
This was not the first time Ravi got wickets and success in the hot Kolkata weather in a pressure game. He has been doing this for the past few seasons. What has been his secret to bowling well on pitches where there is less support for the bowlers?
For Ravi, it is his length and discipline.
"You need to be disciplined on a wicket like this. In this hot weather, you need to make sure you are not wasting your energy on bad balls. Hitting the lengths and not giving away anything is the only way you can get success on this kind of wicket," Ravi shared.
Ravi's ability to hit a length from both over and around the wicket has given him lots of success in the last two seasons. In fact, in a champion team like Bhowanipur, he has been their go-to man whenever they are in trouble. And, Ravi loves the responsibility of doing well in a crunch situation for his team.
"I am fortunate that the team looks at me whenever they need something to happen. Luckily, I have also delivered in those crunch situations for the team," the left-arm pacer stated.
Ravi after getting a wicket against East Bengal last season. Image | C.A.B.
Last season, Bhowanipur won the treble of Kolkata Club Cricket by winning the League, ODI and T20 Championship. Ravi Kumar was one of their standout performers in that extraordinary season. Ravi returned with 45 wickets, the most among the pacers in the Kolkata first division.
Though he was hoping for his ultimate goal of playing first-class after the end of a great season, Ravi was heartbroken not to see him on that Bengal squad for the Ranji Trophy.
"I was heartbroken. I took 45 wickets last season and hoped to get into the Ranji Trophy team. But, do not know why I was not given a chance. But, that has made me stronger in mind that I have to keep doing well to earn that cap," Ravi expressed.
That ankle injury and the toughest phase of Ravi's career so far
Ravi Kumar during a T20 match for Bengal in 2022. Image | C.A.B.
Meanwhile, Ravi also suffered a career-threatening ankle injury and then returned to action stronger than ever. Post recovering from his injury, Ravi did not miss a single game for U-23 Bengal and even prioritised club games more than a few IPL trials to get his chance to play for senior Bengal.
However, the young pacer was hurt to see the lack of support from everyone during his toughest time.
"Injuries are the toughest time for any bowler. It was a tough period for me. Sadly, I did not get the support I was looking for during that time. But, I came back stronger and played all the games at the U-23 level and club level," Ravi said.
Ravi Kumar after getting a wicket in a U-23 game for Bengal. Image | C.A.B.
But Ravi has moved on without resentment from those sad times and is only looking to focus on his process as an athlete.
"Post the injury, I have known my body better. I now know the amount of workload my body can take. I am working on my skills every day, and I am sure I will be able to impress the selectors with more crucial performances," Ravi stated.
Ravi will be eyeing his back-to-back C.A.B. First-Division League title for Bhowanipur in the final against East Bengal.
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