Cricket Association Of Bengal (CAB) President Avishek Dalmiya was delighted with the 100% crowd that was back at the Eden Gardens after a long wait of 3 years. After hosting two IPL playoffs matches and two back-to-back T20 and One-Day finals of Club cricket, Avishek Dalmiya shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point.

The Cricket Association of Bengal hosted any IPL match after the long gap of three years. They not only hosted the playoffs successfully, but they were also able to host the matches with a full-house Eden Gardens. Even BCCI President Sourav Ganguly was full of praise for how CAB was able to host those two playoffs successfully.

"After a long wait of three years, two IPL matches took place at Eden. We were able to host the IPL last time in 2019. Meanwhile, in 2021, it was almost confirmed that the IPL matches will be held at Eden. The schedules were ready, the ground was ready with all the preparations. But, at the last moment when the Covid struck again the schedule was canceled and we were really upset with it. We expected that the matches will be played here," CAB President said.

"This season, we had expected that we will get to host all the home matches of KKR. But, BCCI decided to set the venues around Mumbai as they did not want air travel. We were disappointed. You have to remember that the World T20 was set to held in India, but BCCI had to organize the tournament in UAE for the Covid rising cases," he added further.

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"The credit goes to each and everyone at CAB:" Avishek Dalmiya

"We were very happy when Eden was declared as the host of IPL playoffs. Eden Gardens is always known for the crowds, cricket-loving people, fans and their support, and the roar. Earlier we had organized the third T20 match against New Zealand with a 70% crowd and the t20 match against West Indies with a 50% crowd. I was very happy to see the full-house Eden Gardens back after so many days. It was a team effort. Everyone at CAB worked day in and day out to make this successful. The credit goes to each and everyone at CAB" Avishek Dalmiya expressed.

"We have utilized the time well to finish T20 and One-Day tournaments"

"We had set the target that we will finish two tournaments, T20 and One day. Many people thought that we will not be able to finish the T20 because we had started late. But we have utilized the time well to finish T20 and One-Day tournaments despite being late for Covid and some of the board matches."

Due to Board matches and international games, CAB did not have the opportunity to use the Eden Gardens for local club games. Even BCA Kalyani Ground and JU Campus Ground were occupied with camps and other games. However, despite all the hiccups, the CAB President believes that they have done quite well to manage everything to finish the local tournaments.

"The ground at Kalyani was occupied due to North-East camps. Meanwhile, The Ranji Trophy which never takes place in June is happening now. Moreover, the office matches took place as well, which is obviously a good sign for the players. So, we were not able to finish the league tournament for all of this."

Read Also: "I believe that this Bengal team will win 3-4 trophies in coming years," says Anustup Majumdar

League semis and final to start once the Bengal team comes back

The CAB President has told us that the semi-finals and final of the league tournament will take place once the Bengal team comes back from Ranji Trophy. CAB is trying to host those matches in Bangalore or Puducherry if rain hinders matches in Kolkata.

"We will try to host those matches in Kolkata but if rain comes in between we will shift those matches to Bangalore or Puducherry. Both the associations have already informed us that they are ready to host those matches," Avishek Dalmiya added.

Along with the club-level cricket, CAB is very focused to improve the district cricket as well. They are starting new programs to develop the grass-root level cricket to find new amazing talents.

"The cricket programs have started already. We are trying to pick young talents and give them the scope. We are heading towards that and we also believe that many players will come from here who will play for Bengal and India in near future"

"Just have to keep the nerves right:" Avishek Dalmiya

Bengal missed the silverware last time by an inch. Now, after topping the group stages, they surely can feel the scent of success after three decades.

"We topped the league stage and ranked no. 1 in the country. Not only in groups, but also in comparison with other groups we have topped the table. So, I think that things are all right. We just have to keep our nerves right. They have the potential to win the trophy. They have to keep their confidence high and keep believing in themselves. Our faith and wish are always with the Bengal team," he expressed.

Aryan Club (Women's) delivered a commanding performance to secure the C.A.B. Women's Club Cricket League (One-Day) Tournament 2024-2025 title, defeating Mohun Bagan A.C. (Women) by 47 runs in a thrilling final at the 22-Yards SP School Ground. 

Powered by a blazing knock from captain Tanusree Sarkar and a disciplined bowling effort, Aryan Club showcased their dominance in a match that had fans buzzing with excitement.

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Aryan Club’s Explosive Batting

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Aryan Club got off to a steady start with opener Dyuti Paul (23 off 23) and Sujata Dey taking the score to 28 for the first wicket.

However, it was captain Tanusree Sarkar who stole the show with a scintillating 76 off 50 balls, smashing 10 fours and a six at a strike rate of 152. Her aggressive strokeplay set the tone for Aryan’s innings. 

Priyanka Bala’s unbeaten 45 provided the perfect foil, anchoring the latter half with composure, while Jhumia Khatun chipped in with a quickfire 18. Despite Diya Nandi’s 2/38 for Mohun Bagan, Aryan Club posted a formidable 171/4 in their 25 overs, setting a challenging target.

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Mohun Bagan’s Valiant Chase Falls Short

Chasing 172, Mohun Bagan A.C. (Women) got off to a rocky start, losing Sneha Gupta (3) in the second over to Susmita Ganguly. 

Captain Ankita Chakraborty led the fightback with a resolute 46, partnering with Diya Nandi (32) for a crucial 71-run stand. However, Aryan’s bowlers struck back with precision.

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Sinjini Sarkar (2/28) removed both set batters in quick succession, triggering a collapse. Tanusree Sarkar (1/22) and Sritama Nandi (4/29) ran through the middle order, with Nandi’s sensational spell dismantling Mohun Bagan’s hopes. 

Dipa Das (29) and Puja Rajak (13) showed fight, but Jhumia Khatun’s late wickets, including a stumping, sealed Mohun Bagan’s fate at 128 all out in 25 overs.

In a nail-biting finale to the C.A.B. First Division (Senior Knock-Out) One Day Tournament 2024-2025, the defending champion Bhowanipur Club edged out E. Rly. Sports Association by a mere 5 runs in a 50-over thriller at the J.U. 2nd Campus Ground.

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Bhowanipur Club’s Resilient Batting

Opting to field after winning the toss, E. Rly. Sports Association struck early, with Nikhil Singh dismissing Bhowanipur’s opener Jayojit Basu for 7 in just the second over. 

However, a gritty 57 from captain Abhimanyu Easwaran steadied the ship, anchoring the innings with a composed knock. Aamir Gani’s classy 65, laced with five boundaries, and Vivek Singh’s explosive 58, featuring six fours and two sixes, propelled Bhowanipur to a competitive total.

Despite regular wickets, including a fiery spell from Tanmoy Pramanick (2/32) and Saiket Das (2/36), Bhowanipur managed to post 207 all out in 49.5 overs, thanks to a late flourish from Rajkumar Pal (26) and Ravi Kumar (18*).

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E. Rly. Sports Association’s Brave Chase

Chasing 208, E. Rly. Sports Association’s innings was anchored by a sensational 96 from Ravi Singh, who smashed six fours and two sixes in a match-defining knock.

Arijit Basu’s steady 44 provided early stability, but Bhowanipur’s bowlers kept the pressure on.

Ravi Kumar (2/40) removed opener Shivam Gautam early, while Aamir Gani’s spin accounted for Basu. The middle order struggled, with Jesal Karia (3/35) and Rajkumar Pal (3/25) wreaking havoc, dismissing key batsmen like Deepanshu Chaudhary and Priyam Sarkar.

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As the chase reached its climax, E. Rly. needed 19 runs off the final five overs with two wickets in hand. Nikhil Singh (29*) and Swapnil Choudhary (30) fought valiantly, but a sharp run-out by Rajkumar Pal and a final blow from Ravi Kumar, who trapped Wazid Hussain lbw, sealed the deal. E. Rly. finished agonizingly short at 202 all out in 49.1 overs.

Aamir Gani was adjudged the player of the match for his all-round brilliance. 

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."

Earlier today, the IPL 2025 was also postponed for one week with immediate effect. Here is how Indian athletes reacted to the Indian armed forces' reply to Pakistan's attempt to attack India. 

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

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.

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A post shared by Shreevats Goswami (@shreevatsgoswami)

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.

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"I would love to see more sixes and bigger scores"

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. 

Such performances helped both players secure spots in the auction, leading to notable achievements—Arya scored the third-fastest IPL century by an Indian, while Ashwani became the first Indian man in IPL history to take more than three wickets on his debut.

"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.

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"Batters need to do more open nets"

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."

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"More T20-specific practice is needed"

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.

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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."

But how can Bengal cultivate stars like Vaibhav?

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.

Some IPL innings leave you speechless. The talented players in this tournament have taken the stage to another level with their explosive batting over the years.

Check out the entire article to know some names that will definitely shock you.

10. Suresh Raina (2014) | 16 balls

Suresh Raina is one of the players to score the fastest half-century in the early seasons of IPL. He took only 16 balls to reach his fifty, making it look super easy for the fans.

Raina was the opening batter for CSK and scored this in a match against PBKS in IPL 2024. The endless boundaries that came off his bat in this inning is hard to forget!

Other players who scored a century from 16 balls:

• Ishan Kishan (MI) - 2021
• Abhishek Sharma (SRH) - 2024
• Travis Head (SRH)- 2024

9 & 8. Jake Fraser-McGurk (2024) | 15 balls

Jake Fraser-McGurk, who played for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024, stunned the spectators with his back-to-back fastest fifties in 2 matches. He scored both the fifties off 15 balls which is quite astonishing as it was his debut season.

McGurk’s consecutive fifties secured both the 9th and 8th position in top 10 fastest fifties in IPL history.

He proved to be highly impactful for DC and these half centuries against MI and SRH made him more impressive. Moreover, he smashed 330 runs in 9 matches with a strike rate above 200.

Read Also: Most IPL Finals: Teams with most final appearances in IPL history

7. Nicholas Pooran (2023) | 15 balls

The West Indies power-hitter, Nicholas Pooran, put up a shower of boundaries during his fastest fifty of IPL career from just 15 balls. He scored 62 runs (off 19 balls) in his knock, hitting 7 sixes and 4 fours.

Pooran had a strike rate of 326.32 which says a lot about the kind of mindset and form he was in during the match of LSG vs RCB. 

6. Sunil Narine (2017) | 15 balls

This superstar from the West Indies has never failed to amaze us, be it with the ball or bat. Sunil Narine showcased his exceptional batting skills with this 15-ball half century in IPL 2017.

Narine has played several crucial knocks for KKR in the history of IPL, but with this one, he proved how he is equally capable with the bat and can do wonders.

5. Yusuf Pathan (2014) | 15 balls

Yusuf Pathan scored a sensational fifty against SRH off 15 balls in IPL 2014. He single-handedly took the game home for KKR with his 72 runs off just 22 balls in this inning, with a strike rate above 300.

It shows that KKR indeed had some fearless power-hitters in their team throughout IPL history. 

Read Also: IPL Facts: Fastest Century in IPL History

4. Romario Shepherd (2025) | 14 balls

Romario Shepherd became the only batter in IPL 2025 to score a fifty so fast that could make its way to the top 10 fastest fifties in IPL. He helped RCB reach a 200+ total during the first inning against CSK, which was enough to be a defendable total.

Shepherd hit 6 sixes and 4 fours to score 53* off 14 balls. He was also given player of the match award for his spectacular knock.

3. Pat Cummins (2022) | 14 balls

Here comes a surprising half-century from the Australian all-rounder, Pat Cummins, who scored 50 off 14 balls for KKR in IPL 2022. He helped to seal the victory for his team against MI by 5 wickets (24 balls left). 

Cummins unveiled his boundary-hitting capabilities with 4 fours and 6 sixes, leaving the fans shocked. It is considered to be one of the finest knocks in IPL where he truly showcased his batting skills when needed.

2. KL Rahul (2018) | 14 balls

KL Rahul, who is now known for his calm and composed batting style, holds the second position in the list of top 10 fastest fifties in IPL history. Quite shocking, isn't it?

This was back in IPL 2018 when Rahul showed no mercy to the bowlers of Delhi Capitals with his magnificent fifty off just 14 balls.

He was the opening batter of PBKS, who kept the fans on the edge of their seats from the beginning of the inning.

Read Also: IPL Records: Youngest Half-centurions in IPL History

Yashasvi Jaiswal (2023) | 13 balls

An all-time shocker of an innings from Yashasvi Jaiswal, which remains unmatched till date! He scored fifty off 13 balls, making it the fastest half-century in IPL history.

Jaiswal scored a total of 98 runs (from 47 balls) in this match against KKR and led Rajasthan Royals to victory. He hit the ball out of the boundary line in every direction possible, and was barely seen running between the wickets.

This performance goes down the history of unbelievable knocks in IPL.