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"Association needs to put more focus on grass root level:" Debabrata Biswas, coach of Provat Lakra and other ISL stars

In an exclusive interview with Sportz Point, Debabrata Biswas, coach of ISL player like Provat Lakra said more focus should be on grassroot.

Jun 29, 2022, 3:51 PM5 min read

Indian Football team just qualified for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup in 2023. Meanwhile, the new IFA Secretary Anirban Dutta has stated that they will be giving more focus to CFL and district leagues around Bengal. In addition, Igor Stimac's statement on bringing more teams and competition to the ISL has brought a new force of positive mindset in Indian Football scene. Debabrata Biswas, famously known as Kaju sir among his students echoes all of these positive thinking to improve the Indian Football scene. He shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point.

Young kids playing at Kalyani Municipal Academy under Debabrata Biswas | Sportz Point Speaks
Future stars of Indian football.

Read Also: Indian football news: Narendra Modi declares new football stadium in Ladakh

"We need to support players from the grassroot levels:" Debabrata Biswas

Debabrata Biswas has coached ISL stars like Provat Lakra and Sandip Mandi. Along with them, few I-League stars like Raj Basfore has trained under him. He believes, the mistake Indian football or everyone out there do is clapping for athletes when they have made it. "We need to support them, when they have nothing to eat. Everyone needs to be with them when they think about their financial conditions before playing football. We know how it is hard for us to make them come to practice when there is no food guaranteed for them at the end of the day," Debabrata Biswas expressed.

Bengal and Indian football always have been dominated by players from districts and villages far from the limelight of mega cities. That is why, nurturing the players when they are young is important. United Sports Club helps the coaching camp as both the teams practice there at the same ground. "United helps us a lot. Many of our young players play for them. So, they get the taste of professional football very early, which is great," Debabrata Biswas told Sportz Point.

Read Also: Exclusive ISL Transfer News: Hira Mondal joins Bengaluru FC, Muhammad Uvais joins Jamshedpur FC

Emphasize should be given to nursery leagues

Pradyot Dutta, the father of the current IFA Secretary Anirban Dutta had started the Nursery league in Kalyani. Debabrata Biswas hopes the new President will focus on the nursery league as well as that is the birthplace of future football stars. "You will see tournaments for senior players everywhere. Even the leagues are standard as well. But, if the nursery league is strong, we will get many more upcoming talents. That is why more matches and tournaments are important. More they play, more the learn," kids' favourite Kaju Sir added.


Debabrata Biswas keeping an eye at his players.

He further believes that, Igor Stimac's plan to make ISL more competitive with promotion and relegation is revolutionary. According to him, "if we take a look at the European players and teams, they all play nearly 60+ matches a year. We need to adopt that as well."

"Credit should be given to ISL:" Debabrata Biswas

Debabrata Biswas was very much impressed with the Indian team in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. As per him, this is the best he has seen the Indian team play in many years. Moreover, he feels, ISL has had a lot to do with this. "The physicality we have shown against teams like Afghanistan and fast football against teams like Hong Kong was outstanding. Truly speaking, this is he product of ISL where Indian players go and express themselves against foreign players. Sunil should get a lots of credit for the discipline and fitness he has brought to this team," he added.

Read Also: India and Afghanistan players involved in ugly brawl after AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers match

With everything going with Indian football currently and few positive decisions made, there are still lot need to be done. Debabrata Biswas feels, leagues like CFL must have more Indian players. In that case, he wants the association to limit the number of foreign players to one or two in the playing eleven. According to him, this will give more matches to Indian players and they will have more exposure as well.

Young kids playing at Kalyani Municipal Academy under Debabrata Biswas | Sportz Point Speaks
Young kids playing at Kalyani Municipal Academy under Debabrata Biswas.

What should be the plan to make Indian football better?

Moreover, he feels if the All India Football Federation and the coaches of the National setup gives a sketch of their game plan and formation to the state, clubs and grassroots coach, then they will be able to make the boys ready for donning the blue jersey. "If you look at Spain and clubs like Barcelona or Bayern Munich and Germany they all play with same kind of structure. So, if the ISL teams or grassroot academies like us start to train the boys in that format, that can be very much beneficial."

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Exclusive: "Want to work with younger kids, find and create the next Sourav Ganguly," Abdul Monayem, after an illustrious 20-year club coaching career

After spending 20 years in club coaching, Abdul Monayem, Kolkata's one of the most successful club coaches, now wants to work with younger kids to find the next cricketing icon from West Bengal.

May 19, 2025, 9:47 AM8 min read

Exclusive: "Want to work with younger kids, find and create the next Sourav Ganguly," Abdul Monayem, after an illustrious 20-year club coaching career | sportzpoint.com

Abdul Monayem is a name that will go down in the history of Kolkata Club Cricket without any doubt. The former fast bowler joined Bhowanipur Club as a coach in 2009-10, when the team had just been promoted to the first division. Since then, he has helped them win three league titles along with multiple trophies.

Not only that, he helped East Bengal win the P.Sen trophy this season and qualify for the league final after nearly ten years. 

Monayem retires from club coaching 

Abdul Monayem with East Bengal chief Debabrata (Nitu) Sarkar - sportzpoint.com
Abdul Monayem with East Bengal chief Debabrata (Nitu) Sarkar. Image | Facebook

After spending 20 years in club cricket and emerging as one of the most successful club coaches, Abdul Monayem decided to retire from club coaching. 

But why? 

Monayem answered the reason, along with sharing his future goal, in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point, just one day after the announcement via a Facebook post.

"This is a very personal decision. Just woke up that morning and felt like I was not enjoying it anymore. So, decided to leave club coaching," Monayem answered when Sportz Point asked him about the reason for calling it a day at club level. 

"Even after the last season for Bhowanipur, I was thinking about this. But two seasons back, Nitu (Debabrata) Sarkar invited me to take up the challenge to help the East Bengal cricket team become a winning side. So, I took up the challenge," he added. 

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

Abdul Monayem won nearly every possible trophy for the Bhowanipur Cricket club, and when he joined East Bengal, the goal was to make them win trophies.

"When I joined East Bengal two seasons back, the team was already made. This season, I was able to make the team. We won the P.Sen trophy and will play the league final again. Very happy to get them back to winning ways," Monayem shared. 

Will Monayem be there for East Bengal in the league final?

Exclusive: "Want to work with younger kids, find and create the next Sourav Ganguly," Abdul Monayem, after an illustrious 20-year club coaching career | sportzpoint.com
Abdul Monayem and East Bengal after winning the Kolkata Derby in league semis. Image | Facebook

But, with his announcement now, the big question raised is whether he will be able to be there for the East Bengal cricket club during the big league final against Bhowanipur this season? 

Monayem answered, "NO".

Abdul Monayem will travel to France to attend his son's convocation and support him on this important day.

Along with players, coaches, and staff always miss the chance to be there for their families and with their son's one of the biggest days approaching, Monayem does not want to miss the chance to be there for him. 

That is why he had already informed East Bengal that if they reach the final, he will not be there on the sidelines. East Bengal club also respected his decision and accepted the letter from Monayem. 

"I will be visiting France for my son's convocation. My wife and I will both be there. I have missed a lot of things for cricket and coaching. I did not want to miss this."

So, I had sent a letter to East Bengal earlier that if we reach the final, I will not be there for the team. East Bengal also respected my decision and accepted the letter," Monayem shared. 

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

Monayem's secret sauce

Exclusive: "Want to work with younger kids, find and create the next Sourav Ganguly," Abdul Monayem, after an illustrious 20-year club coaching career | sportzpoint.com
Abdul Monayem with East Bengal team after winning the P. Sen trophy. Image | Facebook

Throughout his coaching career, Abdul Monayem not only won trophies for his club but also developed players who can contribute to Bengal cricket in the long run. He has helped several accomplished players return to the Bengal team. 

Shib Shankar Paul, Saurasish Lahiri, and Arnab Nandi are just a few of the names who managed to return to the Bengal Ranji team after excelling under Monayem at Bhowanipur Club.

Players like Ravikant Singh, Sumit Mohanta, Sourav Paul, and Agniv Pan made their first-class debuts for Bengal after playing under Monayem.

"Before signing any player, I used to ask them if they only had a dream of playing the Ranji trophy for Bengal, then sign for my club," Monayem answered.

Read Also | Bengal Cricket Exclusive: "If 100 does not work, I will score 150," Sandipan Das doesn't want to leave any stone unturned

"I did not become a coach to earn money"

Monayem, who loves to read and write about cricket and coaching, follows the great P.K. Banerjee's style of coaching, where he tries to develop a one-on-one connection with players more than anything else. 

As per Monayem, knowing the pulse of the players and then instilling faith in them is the main thing of coaching. If any coach can do that, they will win half the battle. 

Since the beginning of Sportz Point, multiple Bengal cricketers have mentioned Abdul Monayem in their interviews, and more than winning any trophies, Monayem feels this is his biggest achievement in his coaching career. 

"I did not become a coach to earn money. I did not do this for money," Abdul Monayem expressed. 

"I became a coach to stay in touch with them. Chitrak Mitra, the former BCCI vice-president, gave me the responsibility at that time and told me that I was good enough to be a coach."

"Since then, my only goal has been to create valuable cricketers and give Bengal a few cricketing stars."

"I have only one regret from club cricket"

Despite all the success, Abdul Monayem has only one regret within himself. He wished to give Bengal cricket an iconic cricketer like Sourav Ganguly, but he feels he failed to do so. 

Monayem, who gave Abishek Porel his first break in the first division cricket and told him that he bats like Brian Lara, believes Porel can be the next big star from Bengal. But, after all of these years, Monayem knows that to find and create the next Sourav Ganguly, he will have to go back to the roots and scout talent from the U-13 level. 

Taking the reference of Mumbai cricket, Monayem said, "You saw how they have stands named after so many players. They keep on creating iconic players season after season. I believe in Bengal we can also do that, given we have the system and infrastructure."

This is why Monayem now wants to scout and find young talents for Bengal, only if the Cricket Association of Bengal finds him worthy enough for that role. 

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

"I want to scout and work with young kids to find and make the next Sourav Ganguly"

"I want to scout and work with young kids to find and make the next Sourav Ganguly:" Abdul Monayem | sportzpoint.com
Monayem with Rahul Prasad and other kids at A.S.O.S Image | Facebook

At A.S.O.S, Monayem trains 30 kids for free so that Bengal cricket's next generation is in safe hands. Players like Rahul Prasad have emerged from Monayem's A.S.O.S camps. 

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

"If you want to have iconic players like Sourav Ganguly, who inspired multiple generations of Bengal cricketers, you will have to find them young and make them believe they can rule Indian cricket. I want to do that work for Bengal, if C.A.B. feels I am good enough for that job," Monayem stated. 

Emphasising icons like Sourav Ganguly and Jhulan Goswami's roles in Bengal cricket, Monayem added, "Only if we can have global icons like them from Bengal, then only we will be able to secure Bengal cricket's future."

Abdul Monayem's club coaching career

  • High Court Club (2004-05 to 2005-06)

    • Marked the start of coaching career after a 20-year playing career.
    • Opportunity provided by Pankaj Mallick and Binay Mishra.
    • Coached under captain Rajiv Dutta (now an NCA Coach).
    • Key players: Sourav Sil, Bunty Gowala.
    • Focused on building a strong team dynamic, laying the foundation for coaching philosophy.
  • Mohun Bagan (2006-07 to 2007-08)

    • Joined through Dipankar Hazra and Anjan Mitra.
    • Seasons led by captains Palash Bhowmick, Utpal Chatterjee (2006-07), and Manoj Tiwary (2007-08).
    • Notable players: Chaminda Vass (JC Mukherjee Trophy), Virat Kohli (P Sen Trophy), Wriddhiman Saha, Debabrata Das, Dharmendra Singh, Sabir Ali, Safi Ahmed, Sougata Dutta.
    • Achieved significant success due to team talent and dedication.
  • South Eastern Railway Team BNR (2008-09)

    • Coached under captain Soham Ghosh.
    • Brief tenure but enriched with valuable experiences and team spirit.
  • Bhawanipore Club (2009-10 to 2022-23)

    • Invited by Chitak Mitra to rebuild a struggling 1st Division team.
    • Coached for 14 seasons, nurturing young Bengali talents and experienced players.
    • Key players included: Shiv Shankar Paul, Sourasish Lahiri, Charanji Singh, Arnab Nandy, Subhajit Banerjee, Aritra Chatterjee, Amit Biswas, Jayojit Basu, Abhishek Das, Writtick Chatterjee, Debopriya Ghosh, Kamal Hassan Mandol, Soumya Pakre, Arunlal Yadav, Dibyendu Chakraborty, Abhishek Choudhury, Partha Sarathi Bhattacharya, Prinann Dutta, Ravikat Singh, Sandipan Das, Agniv Pan, Abhishek Raman, Amir Gani, Kaushik Ghosh, Pradipta Pramanik, Writam Porel, Geet Puri, Prosenjit Das, Sujit Yadav, B. Amit, Nilkantha Das, Ayan Bhattacharya, Alok Pratap Singh, Uddipan Mukherjee, Sryean Chakraborty, Abhishek Porel (2018, now a Bengal and IPL star), Mukesh Kumar (now an Indian pacer).
    • Focused on developing young talent, leading to significant player growth and success.
  • East Bengal Club (2023-25)

    • Won the P.Sen Trophy 2024-25 and helped East Bengal reach the league final of 2024-25 season.
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Exclusive: "I would love to see more sixes, more runs," Shreevats Goswami wants bigger scores in Bengal Pro T20 League 2025

Shreevats Goswami, the former Bengal and IPL cricketer, would love to see more sixes and bigger scores in Bengal Pro T20 League 2025 to attract more fans and IPL scouts.

May 8, 2025, 3:06 PM6 min read

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

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

Sudip Gharami (left) and Mukesh Kumar with the Bengal Pro T20 League trophy before the final last season. Image | Facebook
Sudip Gharami (left) and Mukesh Kumar with the Bengal Pro T20 League trophy before the final last season. Image | Facebook

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.

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"

Exclusive: "I would love to see more sixes, more runs," Shreevats Goswami wants bigger scores in Bengal Pro T20 League 2025
Anustup Majumdar playing a cover drive during Bengal Pro T20 League 2024.

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"

Exclusive: "I would love to see more sixes, more runs," Shreevats Goswami wants bigger scores in Bengal Pro T20 League 2025
Virat Kohli practising in an open net for RCB. Image | RCB

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"

Where Are They Now: Last Time Bengal Men's Cricket Team Won A Trophy | sportzpoint.com
Shreevats Goswami with other Bengal players pictured after their triumph in VHT 2012.

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.

Next Article

Bengal Cricket Exclusive: 45 wickets last season, getting wickets on flattest of pitches, Ravi Kumar hoping for a first-class debut next season

Ravi Kumar, the ICC U-19 World Cup 2022 winner, has yet to earn his first-class cap for Bengal despite taking 45 wickets last season for Bhowanipur Club.

May 5, 2025, 8:55 AM6 min read

Bengal Cricket Exclusive: 45 wickets last season, getting wickets on flattest of pitches, Ravi Kumar hoping for a first-class debut next season | sportzpoint.com

Ravi Kumar, the star of the ICC U-19 World Cup 2022 victory for India, has so far played only 5 T20 games for Bengal. Whereas other players from that 2022 batch have gone on to play for their states, IPL teams or even India A, Ravi was not even tried in the first-class arena by the Bengal team management. 

Do you know that Ravi missed the IPL 2022 Auction because he had not featured for Bengal in any senior game before the auction? 

Read more about that - IPL 2022 Mega Auction: 8 U19 Players ineligible for the auction, here's the reason

Despite taking 45 wickets last season for Bhowanipur Club, the most by any pacer in C.A.B. First Division Cricket, Ravi was heartbroken not to get a first-class cap for Bengal. Not only that, he was also part of the team which won every single possible trophy in the Kolkata Club Cricket last season. 

After another stunning performance, on one of the flattest pitches of the season, where more than 700 runs were scored, Sportz Point sat with Ravi Kumar for an exclusive interview.

"Performing well on flat pitches gives you added confidence"

Bengal Cricket Exclusive: 45 wickets last season, getting wickets on flattest of pitches, Ravi Kumar hoping for a first-class debut next season | sportzpoint.com
Ravi after getting a wicket for Bhowanipur Club. Image | C.A.B.

Ravi showed his skill and class in the Kalighat vs Bhowanipur C.A.B. First Division League semi-final with a 4-wicket haul that helped Bhowanipur enter the final for consecutive seasons. On a pitch where getting a dot ball was tough, Ravi made sure he stuck to his strength of bowling good length to take wickets. 

"It gives you added confidence when you do well on those kinds of pitches. It was flat. So, I had to be patient with my line and length to achieve success. Getting the first wicket in the first over itself was an advantage as well," Ravi told Sportz Point. 

"Whenever you have more than 500 or 600 on the board, you get that extra cushion as a bowling unit. But, when you have someone like Anustup Majumdar in the opponent lineup, you need to be accurate with every ball," the 21-year-old pacer added.

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

Length and discipline = Success

Bengal Cricket Exclusive: 45 wickets last season, getting wickets on flattest of pitches, Ravi Kumar hoping for a first-class debut next season | sportzpoint.com
Image | C.A.B.

This was not the first time Ravi got wickets and success in the hot Kolkata weather in a pressure game. He has been doing this for the past few seasons. What has been his secret to bowling well on pitches where there is less support for the bowlers?

For Ravi, it is his length and discipline.

"You need to be disciplined on a wicket like this. In this hot weather, you need to make sure you are not wasting your energy on bad balls. Hitting the lengths and not giving away anything is the only way you can get success on this kind of wicket," Ravi shared.

Ravi's ability to hit a length from both over and around the wicket has given him lots of success in the last two seasons. In fact, in a champion team like Bhowanipur, he has been their go-to man whenever they are in trouble. And, Ravi loves the responsibility of doing well in a crunch situation for his team.

"I am fortunate that the team looks at me whenever they need something to happen. Luckily, I have also delivered in those crunch situations for the team," the left-arm pacer stated.

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

45 wickets but yet no call from selectors

Bengal Cricket Exclusive: 45 wickets last season, getting wickets on flattest of pitches, Ravi Kumar hoping for a first-class debut next season | sportzpoint.com
Ravi after getting a wicket against East Bengal last season. Image | C.A.B.

Last season, Bhowanipur won the treble of Kolkata Club Cricket by winning the League, ODI and T20 Championship. Ravi Kumar was one of their standout performers in that extraordinary season. Ravi returned with 45 wickets, the most among the pacers in the Kolkata first division. 

Though he was hoping for his ultimate goal of playing first-class after the end of a great season, Ravi was heartbroken not to see him on that Bengal squad for the Ranji Trophy. 

"I was heartbroken. I took 45 wickets last season and hoped to get into the Ranji Trophy team. But, do not know why I was not given a chance. But, that has made me stronger in mind that I have to keep doing well to earn that cap," Ravi expressed.

Read Also | Bengal Cricket Exclusive: "If 100 does not work, I will score 150," Sandipan Das doesn't want to leave any stone unturned

That ankle injury and the toughest phase of Ravi's career so far

Bengal Cricket Exclusive: 45 wickets last season, getting wickets on flattest of pitches, Ravi Kumar hoping for a first-class debut next season | sportzpoint.com
Ravi Kumar during a T20 match for Bengal in 2022. Image | C.A.B.

Meanwhile, Ravi also suffered a career-threatening ankle injury and then returned to action stronger than ever. Post recovering from his injury, Ravi did not miss a single game for U-23 Bengal and even prioritised club games more than a few IPL trials to get his chance to play for senior Bengal. 

However, the young pacer was hurt to see the lack of support from everyone during his toughest time. 

"Injuries are the toughest time for any bowler. It was a tough period for me. Sadly, I did not get the support I was looking for during that time. But, I came back stronger and played all the games at the U-23 level and club level," Ravi said.

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

"I know my body better now"

Bengal Cricket Exclusive: 45 wickets last season, getting wickets on flattest of pitches, Ravi Kumar hoping for a first-class debut next season | sportzpoint.com
Ravi Kumar after getting a wicket in a U-23 game for Bengal. Image | C.A.B.

But Ravi has moved on without resentment from those sad times and is only looking to focus on his process as an athlete. 

"Post the injury, I have known my body better. I now know the amount of workload my body can take. I am working on my skills every day, and  I am sure I will be able to impress the selectors with more crucial performances," Ravi stated. 

Ravi will be eyeing his back-to-back C.A.B. First-Division League title for Bhowanipur in the final against East Bengal. 

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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

After making her mark in the U-16 Girls' School Cricket tournament with 8 wickets in the semi-final and a decent C.A.B. Women's Club tournament, Sonali Das is now ready to showcase her talent in Bengal Pro T20 League 2025.

May 3, 2025, 10:54 AM6 min read

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 | sportzpoint.com

It is uncommon in India for a girl to pursue a career in sports without facing skepticism from family and friends. Four years ago, Sonali Das from Habibpur, Nadia, picked up a cricket ball to bowl after being inspired by videos of Jhulan Goswami. At that time, many doubted her aspirations, and some even laughed at her.

However, in just four years, the 16-year-old has turned those doubts into confidence and laughter into applause. She bowls like Malinga, a fact that becomes immediately evident to anyone who sees her bowl.

With an impressive 8-wicket haul in the semi-finals of the U-16 Girls School Cricket and receiving the Bowler of the Tournament award in the presence of her idol, Jhulan Goswami, Sonali now has her sights set on representing Bengal in the upcoming Bengal Pro T20 League 2025.

Recently, Sonali was selected by the Adamas Howrah Warriors for this prestigious tournament, an opportunity that brings her one step closer to realising her dreams. Sportz Point had the privilege of hearing her inspiring story in an exclusive interview.

Read Also | Bengal Women's Cricket Exclusive: Two out of two finals, record chase against Haryana, Jhulan Goswami, WPL and more

"Watching Jhulan Maam's videos inspired me to play cricket"

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 | sportzpoint.com
Sonali along with her teammates after winning the C.A.B. U16 Girls School Tournament. Image | C.A.B.

Sonali fell in love with cricket at the age of 12, captivated by Jhulan Goswami's bowling. Like countless other girls in the country, she aspired to emulate the greatest bowler in women's cricket history. Notably, both Jhulan and Sonali hail from the same district in Nadia, West Bengal.

"I started getting attached and loving this game after watching Jhulan Goswami maa'm bowl. I just loved how she used to clean up stumps at the international level. Everything started from there for me," Sonali told Sportz Point. 

However, convincing the family to support a sporting career can be challenging, especially for a 12-year-old girl in India.

"Initially, my father was reluctant to send me to a cricket coaching centre. But after COVID, I managed to persuade him to enrol me in a coaching centre in Ranaghat," Sonali recounted.

Sonali's journey began at a cricket coaching camp in Ranaghat, where her unique bowling style caught the attention of others, though she also faced harsh criticism. During a U-14 District Zonal camp, coach Paramita Roy noticed Sonali’s accuracy and aggressiveness and believed that with proper training, Sonali could become a future star for Bengal. 

Soon, Sonali started her 3-hour-long train journey three days a week to reach her goals. And, Goutam Das, Sonali's father, understood that her daughter was born to do something great in cricket.

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

Getting noticed by the greats during the Girls' School Tournament

Sonali Das - Bengal Women's Cricketer - Sportz Point
Sonali Das recieving the Bowler of the Tournament Award in the U-16 Girls School Cricket. Image | C.A.B.

As the training started under Paramita Roy, Goutam Das felt that to help her daughter shine in cricket, she needed to be closer to the coaching camp and avoid a long journey. Along with that, he realised that Sonali needed to play more tournaments to enhance her skills. 

Soon, he admitted Sonali to Infocus India Public School so that Sonali could take part in the C.A.B. Organised U-16 Girls School Cricket. And that tournament turned out to be a turning point for Sonali. 

"I began working under Paramita Ma'am and improved rapidly as a bowler. She also focused on my batting so I could contribute valuable runs in the lower order," Sonali explained.

"With my progress, I gained support from everyone around me. Now, I live in a rented place in Kolkata to minimise travel for practice. My father has been my biggest supporter on this journey," she emphasised. 

"Playing in the U-16 Girls' School Cricket tournament changed the trajectory of my career. I was noticed by many former Indian cricketers like Jhulan (Goswami) Maa'm, Lopamudra Bhattacharji) Maa'm and Gargi (Banerjee) Maa'm during the tournament. They all gave me some valuable advice to improve and work on."

That 8/9 in the semi-final

Sonali's moment came when she rattled through South Point High School, batting line up and returned with a bowling figure of 8 for 9 runs and also scored 22 runs as Infocus India Public School defeated South Point by 306 runs. Sonali received the Player of the match award from former India cricketer Gargi Banerjee, which she feels is one of the best moments of her career.

In the final against Behala Kishore Bharati Girls' High School, Sonali again returned with 3 wickets for only 9 runs as Infocus India Public School won the tournament. Sonali won the "Best Bowler of the Tournament" award for taking 15 wickets in just 5 matches

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

From school cricket to senior cricket

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 | sportzpoint.com
Sonali recieving a Player of the match award for Salkia Freinds. Image collected. 

This helped her get drafted into the C.A.B. Women's Club Tournament, where she got the chance to go shoulder to shoulder against some of the best in Bengal cricket. In the C.A.B. Women's Club Cricket League (ONE-DAY) Tournament 2024-2025, Sonali returned with 9 wickets in 6 matches at an average of 18.67, to gain the trust of Adamas Howarh Warriors Franchise to pick her for the Bengal Pro T20 League 2025.

"I am thankful to everyone in the Adamas Howrah Warriors for picking me for this huge tournament. I am delighted to get this opportunity," Sonali stated. 

"My immediate goal is to help the franchise do well in the tournament under Dhara (Gujjar) di. And then play for the Bengal U-19 team. I know if I can make myself ready for the U-19 level, I will be doing good. It is all about taking it step by step," the 16-year-old pacer shared. 

Post the Bengal Pro T20 League 2025, Sonali will be shifting to Kolkata along with her parents to fully focus on cricket. She now just wants to make her parents and family proud.

"We will be shifting to Kolkata permanently only for my cricket. I just want to make my parents and family proud and happy," she expressed.

The Bengal Pro Women's T20 League 2025 will start from 16th May, till 4th June at the M.G.R. Sports Academy Ground in Birbhum, West Bengal. 

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AIFF Awards 2025: Subhasish Bose and Soumya Guguloth Shine as Top Players

Subhasish Bose and Soumya Guguloth won the Best Men's and Women's Player of the Year Awards, respectively, in the recently concluded AIFF Awards 2025. Here are all the winners this season.

May 2, 2025, 5:13 PM3 min read

AIFF Awards 2025: Subhasish Bose and Soumya Guguloth Shine as Top Players | sportzpoint.com

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) celebrated the best of Indian football at the AIFF Awards 2025, held today in Bhubaneswar, honouring outstanding players, coaches, referees, and member associations for their contributions during the 2024-25 season.

AIFF Awards 2025: Subhasish Bose and Soumya Guguloth Shine as Top Players | sportzpoint.com
Subhasish Bose recieving the Best Men's Footballer of the Year Award. Image | AIFF
AIFF Awards 2025: Subhasish Bose and Soumya Guguloth Shine as Top Players | sportzpoint.com
Soumya Guguloth won the Women's Footballer of the Year Award. Image | AIFF

The ceremony highlighted the growing competitiveness of Indian football, with Mohun Bagan SG’s Subhasish Bose and East Bengal FC’s Soumya Guguloth crowned Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year, respectively. 

AIFF Awards 2025 Winners

Individual Awards

  • Men's Player of the Year: Subhasish Bose (Mohun Bagan SG, Defender)
    • Recognised for his leadership as captain and stellar performances for Mohun Bagan SG as the mariners became the first team to defend the ISL Shield, along with reclaiming the ISL Cup. Bose kept 13 clean sheets as a defender and scored 6 goals as well. 
  • Women's Player of the Year: Soumya Guguloth (East Bengal FC, Forward)
    • Honoured as the top Indian scorer in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) and a key player for the Blue Tigresses. She helped East Bengal FC win the IWL 2024-25 title.
  • Men's Goalkeeper of the Year: Vishal Kaith (Mohun Bagan SG)
    • Awarded for holding the record for the most clean sheets in Indian Super League (ISL) history. Kaith had a record 15 clean sheets in ISL 2024-25 and conceded only 19 goals across 26 appearances
  • Most Promising Men's Player of the Year: Brison Fernandes (Midfielder)
    • Noted for his midfield mastery and potential as a rising star.
  • Most Promising Women's Player of the Year: Neha (Haryana, Winger)
    • Recognised for her performances, including 2 goals in the SAFF U19 Women’s Championship and 3 goals in the Senior Women’s National Championship.
  • Men's Coach of the Year: Khalid Jamil (Jamshedpur FC)
    • Won for the second consecutive year for leading Jamshedpur FC to the Kalinga Super Cup semifinals.
  • Women's Coach of the Year: Sujata Kar (Sreebhumi FC)
    • Awarded for guiding newly-promoted Sreebhumi FC to a third-place finish in the IWL.
  • Male Referee of the Year: Venkatesh R
    • Acknowledged for consistent officiating on the pitch.
  • Female Referee of the Year: Tekcham Ranjita Devi
    • Recognised for her officiating excellence.
  • Male Referee of the Year: Venkatesh R
  • Male Assistant Referee of the Year: Vairamuthu P

Member Association (MA) Awards

  • Most Successful MA (Club Competitions): Indian Football Association (West Bengal)
    • For dominance in men’s competitions, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal winning major titles.
  • Most Successful MA (NFC Competitions): All Manipur Football Association
    • Recognised for success in the National Football Championships.
  • Best MA for Supporting Women’s Football: Punjab Football Association
    • Honoured for contributions to women’s football development.
  • Best MA for Hosting Most AIFF Competitions: Football Association of Odisha and Goa Football Association
    • For hosting numerous AIFF events.
  • MA with Most Player Registrations (Men’s): Kerala Football Association
    • For the highest number of male player registrations.
  • MA with Most Player Registrations (Women’s): Western India Football Association (Maharashtra)
    • For leading in female player registrations.
  • Special Award for MA Launching New Projects: Gujarat State Football Association
    • For innovative football initiatives.
  • MA with Most Grassroots Activities: Gujarat State Football Association
    • For extensive grassroots programs.
  • MA with Most Youth Tournaments Conducted: Karnataka State Football Association
    • For organising numerous youth tournaments.
  • MA with Most Coaching Courses: Punjab Football Association
    • For conducting the most coaching courses.
  • MA with Most Refereeing Courses: Gujarat State Football Association
    • For leading in referee training programs.
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