Stronger, more mature and fitter Alok Pratap Singh now wants to make his mark in Bengal Cricket

Alok Pratap Singh was touted to be Bengal's next premium fast bowler under coach Sairaj Bahutule. He was given the Bengal cap at just 18 years old and delivered rockets to opponents' batters. However, the young body of Alok Partap could not handle the load of List-A cricket as he suffered a shoulder injury. Dreams shattered but with hopes alive, Alok started finding answers within himself. 10 years later, he is at his best, knows his body better and now after winning another league trophy with Bhawanipore, he wants to don that Bengal jersey again. Alok Pratap Singh shared his thoughts to Sportz Point sitting in an empty Eden Gardens.

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8 wickets in 2 List-A matches for Bengal, 6 wickets in 3 T20 matches for Bengal at 5.08 runs per over, Alok had a dream start to his career. After representing Bengal in every age group, the right-arm pacer was called up for the Bengal team. Even then Bengal coach Sairaj Bahutule thought he will be the next big start from Bengal. But, a shoulder injury took everything away from him.

"I have been unlucky with injuries:" Alok Pratap Singh

"When I was picked for the team, Sairaj sir had told me that I would play all the matches. Even I had a great start as well. But just like many pacers, I have been very unlucky with injuries. A shoulder injury and I was out of the setup for few months," Alok Pratap Singh said.

Not only that, but when Alok was recalled for the Vijay Hazare Trophy in the 2017-18 season, he suffered a hamstring injury after playing two games. But the pacer from Asansol never lost his hope. "That time I did not know all the things about training, fitness and nutrition. I was not so well disciplined in life as well. But, as soon I changed my routine, food and training, I have been doing good," Alok added.

"Now I am very disciplined with my fitness, food and training:" Alok Pratap Singh

Alok Pratap Singh, now 29, works more on his fitness than ever. He focuses on specific training to strengthen his bowling muscles to avoid injuries. Moreover, he follows a strict diet plan to remain on-filed for the maximum part of the season. "I am enjoying my cricket now. I am more disciplined now. More mature as a person as well. So all together I am in a happy place in my head. For me this is very important as a player," he expressed.

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Even now when the wickets were not coming at the start of the season, Alok knew it was just a matter of time if he keep following the basics right. "I told myself I will not focus on the result. The ball was coming out beautiful from my hand. You get that sense when that happens as a bowler. But, the wickets were not coming. Abdul (Monayem) sir helped me a lot in that period. He insisted me doing what I was doing the best. Bowl at the right place. Even he told the captain to continue with me when I was not getting wickets," Alok Pratap Singh shared.

Then came the biggest match of the season against Mohun Bagan at Eden Gardens. The semi-final of the CAB 1st Division League. Alok took five wickets in the first inning to bundle out a start-studded green and maroon brigade for a paltry.

"Eden has been a lucky ground for me. You look at the five-for against Mohun Bagan or my spell against Kalighat in the final. As I have told you, I knew I will get wickets if I follow the process. I have the ability to swing it both ways. So, I just had to be in the right place," Alok told Sportz Point.

"I want that extra yard pace back in my bowling:" Alok Pratap Singh

Alok possesses a rare ability to swing the ball in both ways. That makes him one of the lethal bowlers with the new ball. However, with time he has learnt how to bowl in different situations of the game and against different batters. Although, after two big injuries, Alok lost that pace he had as an 18-year-old pacer.

"I am working hard on it. Training day and day out just to get that one-yard pace back. I know if I can get that extra one-yard in my bowling, I will be tough to handle."

With everything he is doing for his bowling, Alok knows that the game has evolved in the last few years. In fact, with only one skill you can not survive at any level now. That is why the Bhawanipore pacer is working extremely hard on his fielding and batting too.

"Everyone knows I am a good fielder. So, I just need to make sure I am working on it every day. But, now I want to contribute with the bat as well. Those 15-20 runs at the end become huge in white ball cricket especially. So, I am working on that as well," Alok added.