Abishek Porel, the current U-19 Captain of the Bengal Cricket Team was not included in the upcoming U-19 World Cup squad. The stylish left-handed wicket-keeper since then has scored three tons in four innings in Cooch Behar Trophy. He could have made it four in four, however, missed that by 15 runs against Hyderabad. Bibhas Das, one of the most recognised faces in the Bengal cricket circuit, who has also coached and mentored Abishek throughout his career, has thrown questions to selectors over the non-inclusion of this wonder kid from Bengal.

Read Also: Top scorers in Vijay Hazare trophy in last ten seasons

"You just can't drop someone from the team because of one failure", Bibhas Das started his conversation like this. It showed disappointment and some anguish in his voice. "This boy has been performing throughout the year and past seasons as well. If you can't judge a talent via that, you don't need a selector. You can have a statistician and ask them to make a team via leaderboard sheets", Mr Das went on to add.

However, Abishek went on to get a first-time call in the Bengal Ranji Trophy 27-men squad post recent performances. Though this somehow makes Bibhas Das happy, he would have loved Abishek to be on that world cup aeroplane. Meantime, the U-19 Indian world cup squad is also playing the U-19 Asia Cup to prepare for the World Cup.

"In Bengal cricket, the rule of thumb is that you get success in the age group level and then you make your way into the seniors. That is why I think the World Cup was important for Abishek. If this was Mumbai, I would not have been worried. Because players there get selected for Ranji trophy before playing major age level tournaments."

Bibhas Das on why the U-19 World Cup was important for Abishek Porel

Although, he thinks Abishek's main goal is to play for senior India. "If you can do well in the senior team, no one will remember what you did in the U-19s. That is why I think doing well in Ranji will be vital for his career", Bibhas Das added.

Read Also: Bengal: a top-level team with mid-level ambitions and low-level achievements

Abishek's U-19 Challenger Trophy included 8(14), DNB, 15(17), 1(3), 54(75). However, Abishek was batting at No.6 and 7 throughout the tournament, except for one match. "I could not understand, why he was batting there. He always bats at the top of the order, Bibhas Das questioned management's decision on his batting position.

Porel turned everything around in the Cooch Behar Trophy. His scores include 71(83), 36(39)*, 144(215), DNB, 102(103), DNB, 104(145), 85(88).

Meanwhile, Bibhas Das has questioned the Cricket Association of Bengal's Junior Team administration of what they did to push their brightest talent for the mega event. Although, he thinks it is quite wonderful what the senior selection panel is trying by promoting young talents of Bengal.

Read Also: Devang Gandhi is Bengal's new Under-19 coach

Bengal has always been controversial about giving chances to "outsiders" while ignoring homegrown talents. Moreover, the last trophy Bengal won was at the U-23 level. Interestingly, it was the same group of players who managed to win the U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy for Bengal. Although, unfortunately, none of the players from that group got the chances they deserve at the senior level.

"The Administration needs to get it right. They need to get it right quick. We do not need left-out players from other states to fill our teams. Bengal is full of exceptional talents. We need to pick them and nurse them with good care."

Bhivas Das on CAB's love for other state players.

When asked about Abishek's game, he added, "That kid is an all-rounder. You can pick him as a batter. You can pick him as a wicket-keeper as well." However, he thinks there are no limits on improving. "He is a tall boy. So as a wicket-keeper he generally has a lot of ground covered. But, I want him to work on his footwork more. I will ask him to have a word with Papali (Wriddhiman Saha) on that aspect", he told Sportz Point in an exclusive interview.

Read Also: Bengal T20 Challenge: Habib Gandhi hits 22 in the super over to win it for Durgapur

Bengal has announced their 27-men probable for the upcoming Ranji Trophy. The team has 4 wicket-keepers. Shreevats Goswami, Shakir Habib Gandhi, Abishek Porel and Wriddhiman Saha are among them. However, when asked about the chances of Abishek Porel's debut for the seniors, Bibhas Das told, "I am not sure for how many matches Saha will be available (due to National duties). But Abishek needs to be ready to dominate Ranji trophy if he wants to knock the doors of Indian cricket."

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After the Champions Trophy 2025, India's target in ODI cricket will be the ODI World Cup 2027. In such a situation, know what is Team India's ODI schedule till the World Cup 2027. The Men in Blue have to play a total of 9 series in the next ICC ODI tournament, which includes 27 matches.

Apart from this, some more ODI matches can be scheduled near the tournament. So, know what is the ODI schedule of Indian Cricket Team till 2027 and when India will face which team.

Also Read: The Kohli Effect: Will Indian fans lose interest in Test cricket after Virat Kohli's retirement?

The ODI World Cup2027 will be held around October to December. Before this, the Indian team is going to play a lot of matches. India have to play 3-match ODI series against 8 teams. They will play series twice against one country.

India will play New Zealand twice

India will play Australia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, West Indies and Sri Lanka once each in the upcoming ODI series, while it will play New Zealand twice. Out of the nine series, India will play six series at home, while the rest will be held outside the country.

It will start with the tour of Bangladesh in August, which will be played this year. In October-November 2025, India has to play a three-match ODI series on its tour of Australia. South Africa's team will tour India in November-December.

India will host Sri Lankan team in December 2026

In January 2026, the New Zealand team will play an ODI series in India. After this, India has to play a three-match series against Afghanistan in June. In July 2026, Team India will have to play the same number of ODI series on its tour of England.

The West Indies team is scheduled to tour India in September-October. There will be an ODI series against New Zealand at home in October-November. India will host the Sri Lankan team for an ODI series in December 2026.

Also Read: Fav four in Test cricket: Kohli vs Root vs Williamson vs Smith stats in Tests

India's ODI schedule till World Cup 2027

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.

Read Also | Exclusive: Bowls like Malinga, once doubted by her family, Nadia's Sonali Das is set for Bengal Pro T20 League dreams after 8-wicket haul in School Cricket

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.

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

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.

Read Also | Women's Cricket Exclusive: Age 14, 5 feet 8 inches tall, bowls left-arm wrist spin; Debjani Das is all set to be Bengal's next cricketing superstar

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.

Read Also | Bengal Pro T20 League Exclusive: 9 cricketers teams should go after, who did not play or got picked last time

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*).

Read Also | Sachin vs Kohli: Stats Comparison in Test Cricket

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.

Read Also | Exclusive: "I would love to see more sixes, more runs," Shreevats Goswami wants bigger scores in Bengal Pro T20 League 2025

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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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.

Read Also | Exclusive: Bowls like Malinga, once doubted by her family, Nadia's Sonali Das is set for Bengal Pro T20 League dreams after an 8-wicket haul in School Cricket

"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.

Read Also | Bengal Cricket: 7 U-19 cricketers from Bengal who can play for India in future

"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."

Read Also | Exclusive: "Do not call him a 'baccha', he will play T20s for India in two years," says Bihar head coach after Vaibhav Suryavanshi's historical IPL ton

"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.

Read Also | Where Are They Now: Last Time Bengal Men's Cricket Team Won A Trophy

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.