Works till 3am in the night, spins it the whole day - Sarit Dutta's story will inspire you any day

Sarit Dutta and YMCA lost their biggest match of the season; the CAB Second Division Championship final at Eden Gardens and yet was looking for positivity from that match. With 60 wickets in the season, he is the highest wicket-taker in the 2021-22 season in Kolkata Club cricket, yet he is looking for improvement in his game. Well, such is the life of the left-arm spinner, Sarit Dutta. He works for a weeding photography company till 3 am in the night and then spins his web around batters to take wickets after wickets. Sarit Dutta sat down for an exclusive interview at Eden Gardens after taking his last fifer of the season.

Another five wicket haul, highest wicket-take of the season, how doe it feel? "Feels good, but we should have won the match. That would have been greater," he answered with a humble voice. YMCA played their best season after getting relegated to the second division few season back. Sarit led the side in few matches and as one of the seniors in the team he felt, this team should have won the Championship. "30-40 runs more would have changed the complexion of the match. They (Shibpur) were brilliant on the field though. But, we should have got those runs. The match would have been different fore sure," Sarit added.

Sarit this season took 60 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 14.07 but thinks he could have done better if he could have focused more on cricket. Actually, the left arm spinner from Konnagar, West Bengal works for a company to get his daily need fulfilled and then rolls his arm for the passion of the game. "Yes, it is tough. But, I do it out the of the love for the game. I can not leave the job. They were the ones who helped me during the Covid period when there was no cricket. Even they are the ones who urge me to play cricket. Hence, I will have to continue with them," Sarit said.

Sarit already played for big clubs like Bhawanipore and other first and super-division teams in Kolkata club cricket. But, due to his job and responsibilities he now has to constrain himself in the second division league only. "Yes, there are offers. But, I know if I got to first-division or super division, I can not be sleepless whole night and then come and play the next day. That can't happen. That level asks more commitment and fitness. But, in second division I know with my experience I can manage. So, I will have to think of that as well," he expressed.

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This season just like other left-arm spinner in the league, Sarit nearly bowled half the overs of his team. But, his accuracy and ability to get spin on any track helped him being consistent throughout the season. "It is a practice thing. I try to be on that spot every time I bowl. It does not matter who is the batter and if he is attacking me or not. I try to be on that spot. I think this works for me. In fact, I think this works for every spinner," Sarit told.

"Consistency is a must when you are a spinner and playing at this level. The youngsters need to be more focused to get results," Sarit had some advice for the youngsters in the team. "In addition, the most important thing is fielding. They need to make sure that on grounds like Eden Gardens you are fielding your best. Nothing should go wrong here as the you will not have better ground than this. We lacked that. They need to get better at this," Sarit added further.

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In his own fight with job and cricket, Sarit believes that finding the right balance is the key. "You need to have the balance. Otherwise it's going to get tougher. I am trying my best to maintain the balance to play as long as possible, who knows their won't be a better tomorrow. Along with that keeping it simple is a mandate as well. It is already tough but if you make it complicated, it will get tougher," Sarit Dutta expressed.

Now with more tournaments in Bengal cricket like Byju's T20 Challenge, Sarit believes even who does well in the second division arena get their chances as well. So, there is lot to play for. He urged his other team mates to make themselves ready for those opportunities.