Shakir Habib Gandhi was part of the Bengal squad that played the 2021-22 Ranji Trophy semi-final. However, after not featuring in a single game for Bengal, Gandhi found himself out of the Bengal squad in the next season. The left-handed wicket-keeper batter, although knew how to make a comeback. Right after his match-winning unbeaten 157 for Mohun Bagan in the P. Sen trophy final, Habib was called in for 40-men Bengal probable squad for Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Habib Gandhi shared his thoughts with Sportz Point as he gets himself ready for the big season coming up.

Question: "You were part of the Bengal team that played the Ranji Trophy semi-final. But, post that, you found yourself out of the squad. How did you manage yourself at that time?"

Answer: "Look, I knew I can make a comeback. I wanted to follow the same process I have been following. I did not want to make things complicated. I knew I needed to score runs. I kept things simple. I believed in the process of scoring runs and helping my teams win wherever I am playing."

Read Also: Bengal Cricket Exclusive: From Jitesh Sharma, Rishi Dhawan to Lalit Yadav, the P.Sen trophy will have a star-studded comeback

Question: "During that period, who was there for you, beside you, supporting you?"

Answer: Obviously my family always have been there for me. My mother, father, everyone in my family and my friends know what I can do. Not just at this level, they have the belief in me that I can do well at higher levels too. Their support was always there and it will be there for me no matter what.

"Ghyassudin Khan sir would be happy if he would be alive now but he must be happy there looking at his son-like-student wherever he is."

Late Ghayassudin Khan was the childhood coach of Habib and was instrumental in getting him where he is now.

"Okay with batting anywhere:" Habib Gandhi

Question: "I know your favourite position to bat is opening or number three. However, you did not have the opportunity to open or bat up the order during age-level cricket. Do you feel, particularly in white-ball cricket you suit more as an opener?"

Answer: Yes, I love batting at the top (of the batting order). I always look to play my shots right from the go and batting in the powerplay helps that. But I am flexible to bat as per my team's demand. I am okay with batting anywhere according to the need.

"Never played the bowlers name:" Habib on performing on bigger stages

Question: "As you talked about playing shots from the right go, do you feel this fearless nature of you helps you in big games?

Answer: Yes, there is always pressure in big games. Especially, if you are playing for big teams like Mohun Bagan. It was a first-time experience for me. But since my early days, I have never played the bowler's name. I have always played the ball. Irrespective of what, if you can focus on what you can do best on that given day, gives you more chance of success.

Read Also: From delivering online food to getting selected for India U-19 camp, Rahul Prasad's journey is an inspiring one

Question: "Post the P. Sen final you told the media that you wanted to stay not out till the end. Does not matter how many you score, you wanted to stay till the end. How does this attitude help you finish games even as a top-order batter?"

Answer: "When you're chasing a big total like 350+ and in a big tournament like P. Sen which I was playing for the first time, you need to play long. I knew if I could stay for long at the crease, I can score runs at any time. I knew a few partnerships here and there will take us close to the total. I had a few good partnerships first with Lalit Yadav and then with (Abishek) Porel and Deepak Punia. So, as I was there for most of the time, my job was to finish the game for the team."

"This inning was the stepping stone of my career:" Habib Gandhi

Question: Do you feel this 157-run inning is your best inning to date?

Answer: I would not say this is my best inning till now. I can say this inning was the stepping stone of my career. I have not done anything good in bigger levels like Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali yet. So, I would love to play innings like this for Bengal in the coming days.

Question: For you, the job is done yet. You are in the probable of the Bengal team. So, how do you see this as an opportunity for you to get back in the scheme of things?

Answer: I am not planning anything far away. I am not thinking about anything six months away from now. I want to focus on things which are next. My goal would be to do well in the practice games for the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament. I want to gain the trust of the team management that this boy can take the team to new highs and win matches for Bengal.

Question: We have seen you play a reverse sweep while completing fifty. Then, throughout the inning, we saw you play shots all in every corner of the ground. Tell us if you had the 360-game in you from the early days or if you have built the 360-game in recent times.

Answer: Obviously, you know me well. You played with me in the early days. I did not have these shots in my book. But I wanted to develop a game around my mindset which can give me more success in tough times. I practice those shots so that in crunch times I can play those shots to release the pressure.

BCCI announced the player list for the upcoming WPL 2025 Auction. 120 players are on the list, among which 91 are Indian and 29 overseas cricketers, including 3 from Associate Nations.

The Women's Premier League (WPL) Auction 2025 will take place on 15th December 2024 in Bengaluru. The are 82 Indian uncapped players and 8 uncapped overseas players in the auction list.

With most of the franchises holding their core group of players, 19 slots will be up for grabs, with 5 slots reserved for overseas players.

Only 3 players were listed in the bracket of the highest base price of INR 50 lakhs while 28 players will be auctioned starting with their base price of INR 30 lakhs. 

West Indian all-rounder Deandra Dottin, England batter Heather Knight, and South African wicket-keeper batter Lizelle Lee will enter the auction with the highest base price of INR 50 lakhs.

Read Also | "She is a tough girl:" WPL 2023's Purple cap holder Saika Ishaque's coach Shiv Sagar Singh

In the first set of 20 marquee players, Australia's Darcie Brown and Kim Garth, England's Lauren Bell and Sarah Glenn and India's Sneh Rana can go for big bucks during the WPL 2025 auction.

From the Cricket Association of Bengal, only two players have been able to make it to the list. Priyanka Bala, who was already with the Mumbai Indians squad, has found herself on the list. Along with her, young all-rounder Sushmita Ganguly will also be auctioned with a base price of INR 10 lakhs.

Read Also | Exclusive | Taunts to Claps: Priyanka Bala's journey from rural village of Nadia to WPL

Breakdown of 120 players in the WPL auction list

WPL 2025 Reatined players' list

Full list of players listed for the WPL 2025 Auction

Imagine what you're doing at the age of 13. You probably were going to a school or playing at a local sports academy. But can you imagine at 13 years old age you can become a crorepati in India playing professional cricket? Yes, you can if you are Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who was picked by Rajasthan Royals at a whooping 1.10 crore rupees in the recently concluded IPL 2025 mega auction.

After the mega auction, Vaibhav was a household name in India. But, you will be shocked knowing that he has been playing cricket under BCCI since the age of eight and has already played at the first-class level. He has already featured in five first-class matches and played a T20 game for Bihar earlier this year.

Moreover, he became the youngest overall and fastest India centurion in Youth Test Cricket's history, when he slammed a 58-ball ton in an unofficial test against Australia at M.A Chidambaram earlier this year.

After his record-breaking inning, Sportz Point got to have a word with the young sensation during the Bengal vs Bihar Ranji Trophy match, which was called off due to rain and wet outfield. Vaibhav at that time had revealed that all of his aggression and quick scoring come naturally to him and he is a great fan of Brian Lara. As a left-handed batter, he loves to watch the former West Indian legend's old highlights and how he used to dominate bowlers during his era.

Read Also | IPL 2025 Auction: Top 10 Most Expensive players of the auction

Vaibhav has been getting support from his family, friends and coaches from an early age to get where he is currently. Bihar's head coach Ashok Kumar is one of those coaches who has helped the teenager to be able to come this far now. After his record-breaking IPL deal with Rajasthan Royals, Sportz Point got to know more about Vaibhav via Ashok Kumar.

A few players like Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar, who are actually from Bihar, had to move to Kolkata for better opportunities in cricket. Due to the lack of infrastructure and exposure, many players from the state have gone unnoticed in recent decades. But, this was not the case for a sensational talent like Vaibhav and for that, Ashok Kumar wants to thank the Bihar Cricket Association for giving this "once in a generation" talent a chance so early.

"Congrats to Vaihav. He is a great talent we all know. I have been watching him since he got the chance in the Bihar U-19 team. Watching this kid grow as a player, has been remarkable for me and everyone in Bihar," Ashok Kumar told Sportz Point.

"But, I want to thank and congratulate everyone associated with Bihar Cricket Association for identifying this talent and giving him a chance so early in his career," he added.

Vaibhav from his early days had the skill and temperament to dominate senior bowlers and score big runs. He burst onto the scene with an unbeaten 332 in a U-19 tournament in Bihar;  Randhir Verma Tournament. Ashok Kumar wants Vaibhav to continue with the intent which has helped him so far.

"I have been fortunate to coach the Bihar U-19 and senior team and have seen him up and close in the last few years. I know, with time, many teams will try to watch out for a weakness in his batting. But, the only thing that I always advise him is to keep the intent he has as a batter. He is not afraid of any bowler and his natural ability to hit bowlers will take him very far in his career," Ashok Kumar expressed.

Vaibhav's father Sanjeev Suryavanshi has been his formal coach. He also consults Wasim Jaffer from time to time for advice, whom he had met during a U-19 tournament in Bangladesh in November 2023. Luckily for the youngster, he will now be coached by former Indian Men's team head coach Rahul Dravid, who has developed many U-19 stars into future Indian players during his time with the U-19 and senior team.

Read Also | Exclusive: Inspired by Easwaran's work ethic, a more mature Abishek Porel wants to score big hundreds for Bengal in Ranji Trophy 2024-25

Also, Rahul Dravid and Rajasthan Royals were the franchise that gave young Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag an early chance in the Indian Premier League to showcase their talent. Ashok Kumar feels, that having Rahul Dravid as his coach will only enhance him as an overall player and a human being.

"With Rahul Dravid sir, we all know Vaibhav will learn a lot of great things about his game and I feel his time at the Rajasthan Royals will help him be more disciplined as well. Rajasthan Royals have helped a lot of young players in the past and I am hopeful Vaibhav will also emerge as one of the stars from the franchise," Ashok Kumar stated.

"Vaibhav's presence in the Indian Premier League and the U-19 team will influence many kids in the state to play cricket. They will now believe that if you have the talent and work hard on it, anyone can play at the highest level even from states like Bihar. I feel, a brighter time coming for Bihar State Cricket, via champion players like Vaibhav." 

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has been named in the Bengal squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024. Shami, who played his first match in 360 days in the Ranji Trophy game against Madhya Pradesh, will boost Bengal's chances in the tournament.

Sudip Kumar Gharami, who was Bengal's captain in the white-ball format last season, has been named as the captain of the squad for this season as well. 

In the 20-men squad, Bengal has named three wicket-keepers for the tournament. Abishek Porel, who recently toured Australia for the India-A team, will continue as the main man behind the stumps. Meantime, Shakir Habib Gandhi and Agniv Pan will be the other keeper-batters of the team. Interestingly, all three wicket-keepers of the squad are left-handed batters, giving coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla a few options to play with in the batting order.

Read Also | Exclusive | "Felt like my debut:" Bengal pacer Ishan Porel now wants to enjoy his cricket after a solid comeback to first-class cricket

Sudip Chatterjee, who came back from Tripura to rejoin his home state, will continue as one of the top-order batters for Bengal. The left-handed batter has done well in the Ranji Trophy this season and will be a key player for Bengal in the white-ball format as well. Ranjot Singh Khaira and Sudip Gharami will be the top-order batters for them this time.

Read Also |  IPL 2025 Auction: 13 players from Bengal and their details

Ritwick Roy Chowdhury, one of the best white-ball finishers for Bengal, along with all-rounders Shahbaz Ahmed, Karan Lal, Writtick Chatterjee and Saksham Chaudhary will be key clog for Laxmi Ratan Shukla and team management. Ritwick and Shaksham will be the pace bowling all-rounders of the team, while Karan, Writtick and Shahbaz will be the spinner all-rounders.

In the absence of Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep, Ishan Porel, Mohammed Kaif, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Sayan Ghosh and Kanishk Seth will share the load of bowling those crucial overs along with new names like Soummyadip Mandal. The inclusion of U-23 captain Prayas Ray Barman means there will be enough variations while defending totals as well.

Bengal is placed in Group A alongside Punjab, Hyderabad, Mizoram, MP, Meghalaya, Bihar, and Rajasthan. 

Read Also |  IPL 2025 Auction: Full list of players and details

Bengal squad for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024

Sudip Kr Gharami (captain), Mohammad Shami, Abishek Porel (WK), Sudip Chatterjee, Shahbaz Ahmed, Karan Lal, Writtick Chatterjee, Ritwick Roy Chowdhury, Shakir Habib Gandhi (WK), Ranjot Singh Khaira, Prayas Ray Barman, Agniv Pan (WK), Pradipta Pramanik, Saksham Chaudhary, Ishan Porel, Md Kaif, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Sayan Ghosh, Kanishk Seth, Soummyadip Mandal.

Bengal's schedule in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024

• 23 November' 24 - Bengal vs Punjab - Rajkot - 4.30 pm
• 25 November 2024 - Bengal vs Hyderabad - Rajkot - 4.30 pm
• 27 November 2024 - Bengal vs Mizoram - Saurashtra - 9 am  
• 29 November 2024 - Bengal vs Madhya Pradesh - Saurashtra - 1.30 pm
• 1 December 2024 - Bengal vs Meghalaya - Rajkot - 11 am
• 3 December 2024 - Bengal vs Bihar - Saurashtra - 9 am 
• 5 December 2024 - Bengal vs Rajasthan - Rajkot - 11 am

Bengal defeated Himachal Pradesh by 21 runs in the second semi-finals of the Senior Women's T20 Trophy 2024 on Sunday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Bengal all-rounder Mita Paul was adjudged player of the match for her 1 wicket and 29 runs with the bat.

Batting first, Bengal struggled early, losing Dhara Gujjar on duck in the first over. But, Richa Ghosh, the Indian wicket-keeper batter promoted as the opener, made sure she built a partnership with vice-captain Tanushree Sarkar for the second wicket.

Richa departed after adding 31 from 28 balls but Tanushree battled in the middle to build another partnership for Bengal, this time with Mita Paul. Tanushree, who made her return to the Bengal team after representing Railways last few years, perished after scoring a run-a-ball 36.

Read Also | Women's Cricket Exclusive: Mita Paul wants to take her game to a new level with a more attacking game plan

Mita Paul tried to take the inning deep but lost her wicket after scoring 30-ball 29. But, it was youngster Sasthi Mondal, whose 11 from 5 balls gave Bengal the finish they were looking for. Bengal finished their first inning on 134/6, giving Himachal a tough task to chase down the total under the lights at Wankhede. 

With a batting lineup consisting of international players like captain Sushma Verma and Harleen Deol, Himachal looked like the team which can chase down Bengal's total. However, Titas Sadhu struck early for Bengal as she removed Sushma Verma in the fourth over. Off-spinner Sushmita Ganguly then clean bowled Nikita Chauhan, to hand Bengal the momentum. 

Read Also | "Accuracy, planning and mental strength - Shiv Sagar Singh's mantra to make Bengal women's best in the country" | Senior Women's T20 Trophy

Though Himachal were trying to build a partnership and take the game deep, Bengal captain Saika Ishaque dismissed Sonal Thakur and Monika Devi in the same over to give Bengal the advantage. Despite a valiant effort from S M Singh (32 from 22 balls), Himachal fell short of the total by 21 runs. Saika Ishaque and Titas Sadhu took two wickets each for Bengal.

In the other semi-final, Mumbai defeated Uttarakhand by 31 runs to enter the final. Bengal and Mumbai will face each other in the final on 12th November at Wankhede Stadium from 4.30 pm IST.

"Whenever in doubt, remember why you started," this is a motivational quote that athletes often use whenever they face some unwanted trouble in their career. Ishan Porel, once touted as the "one of the best in domestic cricket" by none other than Rahul Dravid, had somehow lost his way after a stunning start to his career.

An injury during the Bengal Pro T20 League 2024, had ruled to him out of the first two games of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season. In fact, he was not even in the preminilinary Bengal squad for the season as well. 

But, he is BACK! With a stunning 6 wicket spell against Kerala in Ranji Trophy 2024-25, the tall pacer has announced his his return to first-class cricket. Ishan was nearly out of the game for four months and this tough period has made him rethink why he started playing this game. 

Just like any other kid around his place, Ishan used to play cricket because it was fun for him. It brought him happiness and joy. Many years later, after sustaining a few injuries and rough patch, the 26 year-old Bengal pacer wants to play cricket to have fun and enjoy every bit of it; the success, long spells, appeals, outs and denied decisions. 

After his return to first-class cricket, Sportz Point tried to get into his head and soul via an exclusive interview with the pacer. 

Q: First of all, congratulations on the Player of the Match performance against Kerala in your comeback match. You played after a long time. Did anything feel different?

Ishan: "It felt like a debut. A different feeling altogether. Getting out of the squad, due to injuries or any other thing, was something new for me. But, this has helped me to have a different perspective on the game. Ups and downs are just part and parcel of life. Now I feel there are lots of other things other than cricket.

Now, I am playing cricket to enjoy the game that I love, like I used to do as a kid. Even in this game, just like my debut, I wanted to enjoy the game and have fun. I feel this is the way to go for me now."

Q: For any athlete, this period of uncertainty, rehab, and staying away from the game is very tough. Who were the people who kept you going during this period?

Ishan: "During the Bengal Pro T20 League, I got injured. It was first a plantar fasciitis. But then I got injured in the ankle. You can never tell when you will get injured. Sports science does not work like that. Truly speaking, psychologically I was very down during this time. I did not know what to do.

My parents were there with me like always. Bibhas (Das) sir was there as well. From everyone in the Bengal team, including trainers, doctors, Laxmi (Ratan Shukla) da, all motivated and took care of me so that I could make this comeback."

Read Also | Exclusive: Inspired by Easwaran's work ethic, a more mature Abishek Porel wants to score big hundreds for Bengal in Ranji Trophy 2024-25

Q: Generally, we see some changes in the bowling action or in general whenever a bowler comes back from an injury. Is there anything that you changed in your bowling action after the injury?

Ishan: "No, I did not have to make any changes to my bowling action. But, I know that in the longer process, I will have to keep doing certain exercises so that I give myself the full chance of not getting injured anymore. I had bowled a lot before playing this match. Nearly about 100-120 overs.

"I was bowling at my full rhythm nearly from the last 30-35 days. Laxmi (Ratan Shukla) da even made me bowl 8-9 over spells in the practice. So, the body never felt anything new. Mentally, I just wanted to enjoy cricket and not put any pressure on myself."

Q: Many of the players who were with you during your U19 days have somehow gone ahead in the competition now. Does that somehow make you feel sad or bother you, knowing that you have fallen behind a bit?

Ishan: "No, it does not bother me at all. Everyone has their own perspective on life. Everyone has their own journey. Yes, everyone has one dream of playing for India. I know that if I do all the things correctly and follow the process, I will reach where I was and surpass that as well. So, I just try to win matches for my team and keep the intensity high while bowling."

Q: Bengal has two important away games against Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh before we move to the white-ball format. How are you looking at those away games?

Ishan: "Every Ranji Trophy game is important. Even when we played the final last time, we were not in a great state after a few games, and then we came back with some wins. So, you have to take every game as the most important one. We have the squad to beat anyone."

Q: Last time when Bengal faced Karnataka at Eden Gardens in the 2020 semi-final, you took 5 wickets in the first innings and had bamboozled the batting order. Will that success go through your mind when you face them this season?

Ishan: "Four years is a long time. The past is past. Yes, when you do well against an opposition, it makes you feel good. But, every match is a new beginning for every cricketer. At this moment, I just want to enjoy my game and give my all for my team."

Bengal's next two Ranji Trophy matches

• 6-9 November, 2024 | vs Karantaka, in Bengaluru
• 13-16 November, 2024 | vs MP, in Indore