"Selection does not deject me anymore, I know my chance will come," says speedster Sayan Ghosh

Known as Bengal's Malinga Sayan Ghosh was dropped from the Bengal Ranji Team in the 2017 season after one bad match. Since then he has not been called up again. Although he has been in and out of the Bengal's white-ball fixture, he did not get the long run he deserved. After playing for over a decade, Sayan Ghosh feels he is now enjoying the game more. The 29-year-old speedster shared his thoughts and future goals in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point.

Ever planned to play for other states?

In the last decade, many outstation players have tried their luck in Bengal. In fact, some of them went to play for Bengal at the first-class level as well. So players like Sayan who is tried and tested at the first-class level did ever think of switching states to play more matches? "No," he answered promptly.

"I always dreamt of playing for Bengal. And, truly speaking other state teams don't allow other state players. If you are an India player and joining them, then it's different," Sayan answered.

In the 2017 season, Sayan was dropped from the Ranji Team and suddenly he was out of the 30-men Bengal squad as well. What was the communication between the team management and Sayan? What the team was expecting from him?

Sayan Ghosh, only the white-ball bowler?

"Actually, I did not get any opportunity to communicate. Neither did the team try communicating with him. I was even out of the probable as well. If they had told me what I was lacking, I would have worked on that aspect and tried to get better as a bowel, " he answered.

"Suddenly there was a rumour in the maidan that Sayan is not a red ball bowler. He should focus on white-ball cricket only. But, if you see I have always done well in the red-ball format for Bengal and Mohun Bagan. Even, Joydeep (Mukherjee) da had seen me bowl well with the red ball in the U-23 tournament. Me and Alok Pratap were the highest wicket-takers as pacers. I do not know who had spread that rumour. But, that was not true."

Sayan Ghosh on being told only a white-ball bowler.

"I did not even get to bowl a single ball"

After a gap of three years, Sayan Ghosh was included in the Bengal Ranji probable for this season. Yet, he did not even get the chance to bowl in the intra-squad practice as well.

"Yes, Ishan, Mukesh, and Akashdeep are doing well. It's tough to get into the team as a pacer now. But, I did not even get a chance to bowl in the intra-squad match. I hope they had taken me thinking something about me. But, I did not even get to bowl a single ball," Sayan Ghosh said with pain in his voice.

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Rejections are part of professional sportsmen's life. But, getting rejections after rejections have made Sayan stronger. He believes his chance will come. And, he will have to grab that by both hands.

"Selection does not deject me anymore, I know my chance will come"

"Truly speaking, the selection does not deject me anymore. I am enjoying my game more. And, I am reaping results from that too. I went to Vijaya Hazare and Mushtaq Ali without any expectations. I was the highest wicket-taker in the practice matches as well. Even I did well in the LIVE match as well against Karnataka. So, I am enjoying my game more. At this age, after playing for a long, I know I will have to keep performing and my chance will come."

"I am sure my chance will come. It will come. I will have to grab that with two hands"

Sayam Ghosh

"Three in three for Mohun Bagan is the aim now": Sayan Ghosh

Sayan has been playing for Mohun Bagan for the last three seasons. Now his main goal is to win the first-division league with Mohun Bagan. "When you play for public clubs like East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, there is some extra responsibility to win trophies. Our goal is to win three trophies this season. Currently winning the league is our main focus." Sayan sounded clear on his goal of making it three in three this season with the Mariners.

Read Also: Bengal Cricket: With a 6-for in the first match, Pritam Chakraborty aims for a first-class comeback

"Wanted to focus more on club cricket, this might get me back in the first-class arena"

Bengal's Malinga was part of the KKR and Delhi Capitals franchise in the Indian Premier League. But, he did not get any opportunity to showcase his talent. Last year, he was with the Punjab Kings franchise as a net bowler. But, Sayan chose not to go as a net bowler this season to focus more on club cricket.
"Players who got auctioned after being a net bowler played every match in the domestic season. Be it Akashdeep (for RCB) or Baltej Singh (PBKS). I did not even play the domestic season as well. And I was not even picked for Bengal after being with an IPL team. So, I did not want to go this time. There were offers from KKR and RCB. I thought doing well for Mohun Bagan might give me a chance to make a comeback in the first-class arena."

Sayan is trying to improve himself every day. He has shortened his run-up to avoid more injuries. Moreover, he is bowling better with the shorter run-up as well. In addition, he is planning to go outside of Bengal for a fitness camp in the off-season.