Till 2021, Sujit Sen, an employee of Tech Mahindra in Bangalore did not her daughter will be winning medals at the international level for India. The man from Chakdah, West Bengal who had to shift to Bangalore for work purposes in 2005, suggested her daughter to check out a nearby shooting centre in Bangalore. Two years later, her daughter Tilottama Sen won a bronze medal in ISSF World Cup in Cairo, Egypt.
Tilottama Sen in ISSF World Cup in Cairo, Egypt. Self-image
Tilottama Sen was just 0.1 points short of making it to the final of the International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup, 2023. During the 2021 lockdown, Sujit wanted her daughter to be active so he took her to "Hawk-Eye", a shooting training centre in Bangalore. She instantly got interested after watching all the instruments and decided to take shooting seriously.
Inspired by Mehuli Ghosh, another fellow Bengali shooter, Tilottama started improving her skills quickly.
"She has always been a calm and composed girl. I guess that helps her in shooting," Sujit Sen told Sportz Point in an exclusive interview via telephone.
From "Hawk Eye" to SAI Karnataka, the move was quick for Tilottama as she kept on improving her game rapidly. Although she was giving a lot of time to shooting, the class XI student of Blue Bell Public school did not let sports hamper her studies.
"Till now she has been our class topper in every class. She manages everything quite well and knows what she needs to do on daily basis," Tilottama's father added.
Tilottama Sen, Seonaid Mcintosh and Nina Christen (From right to left of the image) pose with their medals. Image: ISSF
She uses yoga and meditation to enhance her focus and improve her performance at the highest level. According to her father, it has helped her in completing her school works in quicker time.
"Since she started travelling for multiple tournaments, she manages her studies whenever she comes back home. I think her ability to focus has helped her in her studies as well."
Tilottama has been able to win multiple international medals within two years of picking up a rifle. But, the main goal is to be at the Olympics and win it there.
"The main goal is obviously to be at the Olympics and do good there. That is what she is working hard for," Sujit Sen added.
International medals won by Tilattama Sen
TournamentEventMedalISSF World Cup, 2023Individual EventBronzeISSF Junior World Cup, 2022Air Rifle Team WomenGoldISSF Junior World Cup, 202210m Air Rifle WomenBronze
Bengal Cricket Exclusive: 'Dibbly Dobbly,' a Facebook page's creation, is helping cricket stories return to households
Bengal cricket enthusiasts are in for a treat this September as the Facebook community 'Cricket Club House' (CCH) launches its new Bengali cricket e-magazine, "Dibbly Dobbly," on September 23rd.
An image from Bengal vs Haryana Ranji Trophy match at Eden Gardens.
Bengal cricket fans have a reason to celebrate this September as 'Cricket Club House' [ক্রিকেট ক্লাব হাউস in Bengali](CCH), a Facebook page or community, prepares to launch an exciting new Bengali cricket e-magazine alongside an action-packed tournament. On 23rd September, coinciding with CCH’s birth anniversary, the group will release "Dibbly Dobbly,” a magazine priced at Rs. 80 that promises to engage cricket enthusiasts with gripping stories, expert analysis, and fun quizzes.
'Dibbly Dobbly' - A homage to unique cricket stories
The magazine features contributions from acclaimed Bengali sports writers like Kalarab Ray, Partha Dey, Saptak Sanyal and Anish Mukherjee, offering deep insights into the sport.
The unique title “Dibbly Dobbly” pays homage to the medium and part-time pacers of the 1980s and 90s, known for their surprising effectiveness, mirroring the humble but passionate spirit of the growing CCH community.
Beyond literature, CCH is energising the field with the “CCH PRESENTS: Camaraderie Trophy” cricket tournament, kicking off on 20th September at Bounce Turf in North Dumdum near ILS Hospital.
This competition will see eight teams of nine players each (including one impact player) battling it out in five-over matches with at least three group league games.
The winners will receive Rs. 7,000 and a trophy, while the runners-up will receive Rs. 4,000 and a trophy.Special awards for the Man of the Finals and the Man of the Tournament will also be presented. Team registration costs Rs. 3,500 and is open via WhatsApp.
A notable highlight is the inclusion of a women’s tournament, reflecting CCH’s commitment to promoting cricket among women from the outset. Despite limited resources, the group is organising all aspects of the magazine and tournaments with dedication, demonstrating strong vision and quality leadership.
CCH's vision - a new high in Bengali sports community
CCH’s drive to deliver high-quality events and content is already gaining traction within the Bengali sports community, laying the foundations for future expansion. The group is actively seeking visionary investors to support its mission of enriching the sports ecosystem through innovative cricket initiatives and events.
Exclusive: 'Honoured' Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal can't wait to bowl alongside Indian pacers in Duleep Trophy 2025
Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal has taken 60 wickets in the 12 first-class matches he has played so far in his career for Bengal. He was the highest wicket-taker for Bengal in both seasons he has played.
East Zone announced their squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2025 on Friday, featuring a bowling lineup reminiscent of an Indian team, including Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, and Akash Deep.However, there is one Bengal pacer who made an entry into the squad after performing well in Ranji Trophy in last two seasons.
Bengal's medium pacer all-rounder Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal has been named in the West Zone squad. Ishan Kishan will lead the side, whereas Abhimanyu Easwaran will be the vice-captain of the team. Right after his selection, Suraj shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point.
Suraj nearly left cricket in 2023
Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal won the player of the match medalfor his 8-wicket haul against Assam in Ranji Trophy 2023-24. Image | CAB
There was one time when Suraj wanted to leave cricket and went into depression. Suraj had already lost his father, but his mother, brother and coach supported him immensely, and their belief turned into a result when he got selected for the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season after a great season with Calcutta Customs Club.
Since then, Suraj has been Bengal's highest wicket-taker in consecutive seasons and has taken60 wickets in just 12 first-class matches at an outstanding average of 15.43. Suraj feels it is his consistency and process that have given him the results so far.
"Feeling very happy after the selection. These selections give you more confidence that I have been doing well. But, I will have to justify this with better performances," Suraj told Sportz Point.
Reflecting back on his journey, Suraj feels he is on the right track but needs to focus on the present without looking too far.
"You know that I was about to leave cricket. But, I have been able to go through that period and representing Bengal in Ranji Trophy was a dream. Now, when I am going into the next stages of Indian cricket, I need to focus on the things at hand and do what has worked well for me."
Suraj in the background as Shami delivered ball during MP vs Bengal Ranji Trophy match. Image | PTI via ESPN Cricinfo
It will not be new for Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal to bowl alongside Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar or Akash Deep. In the 2024-25 season, Suraj bowled in tandem with India's one of best, Mohammed Shami. But getting selected for the East Zone team when all of these three bowlers are available makes it more special for him.
"To be honest, I am honoured. Getting into a squad where all of them (Shami, Mukesh and Akash Deep) are there feels special. All of them have played for India, and I am just willing to learn as much as possible from them."
However, it is quite clear as well that with Shami, Mukesh and Akash Deep being there, it would be hard for Suraj to get a game. But for Suraj, he never thinks about selection before the match. For him, selection is never in his hands, and that's why he does not want to think about something which is not under his control.
"Even in Ranji Trophy, I do not think about selection. I try to focus on the preparation and getting ready for them. That has been my habit. So, in Duleep Trophy, I will just focus on my preparation," Suraj expressed.
It was in tournaments like the Duleep Trophy where Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep made their names before getting that India cap. Is Suraj thinking about that too?
"No. I just want to keep doing what I have done well to get here," he answered.
"Yes, the dream is to get there (the Indian team). But I do not want to think too far and lose my focus. I trust in God and whatever he chooses for him. I just want to keep improving myself."
Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal scored his maiden first-class ton against Punjab at Eden Gardens. Image | CAB
Apart from his bowling, Suraj last season proved himself with the bat as well. With his maiden first-class ton against Punjab in the last of the season, Suraj showed he is ready to be an all-rounder as well. By the way, he also took 8 wickets in that match.
"It is about contributing to the team, with bat, ball or fielding. Helping the team is the main goal. Yes, I have been working on my batting as well. So, feels good to have a first-class ton beside my name, but I need to keep improving.
Exclusive: "Watch out for him," Shreevats Goswami's statement for Akash Deep in 2020 is proving right now
Only after Akash Deep's second Ranji Trophy game in 2020, Shreevats Goswami warned the cricketing world to watch out for him. Shreevats shared his thoughts on Akash Deep after his sensational performance at Edgbaston.
The entire cricketing world now recognizes the name Akash Deep, who dismantled the English batting lineup at Edgbaston, helping India achieve a historic victory in Birmingham.
His first-ever 10-wicket haul in a match places him alongside the greats of Indian cricket, such as Chetan Sharma, Kapil Dev, and Ishant Sharma.
Not only that, he has now listed himself beside legend Michael Holding for dismissing four of England’s top five batsmen in a single Test innings (Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Ollie Pope), all without catches, relying on bowled or LBW dismissals.
"Keep an eye on this guy," Goswami tweeted in 2020
Shreevats Goswami with Akash Deep at Eden Gardens. Image | Shreevats Goswami on X.
Shreevats Goswami, a former Bengal and IPL cricketer, recognised early on that Akash Deep was destined for the international stage. In fact, he was the first to alert the world about Akash Deep back in 2020.
Right after Akash Deep's only second Ranji Trophy game, where Akash Deep picked up a five-wicket haul, Shreevats tweeted out, "Keep an eye on this guy, AkashDeep is a rare 'fast 'bowler in domestic cricket. Surely to watch out for in future. And he can tonk a few too."
Keep an eye on this guy , Akash deep is a rare “fast “ bowler in domestic cricket . Surely to watch out for in future. And he can tonk a few too . https://t.co/2wXw3MUHsg
"Yes, I knew from the beginning that he was built for greatness," Shreevats told Sportz Point after Akash Deep's historic spell at Edgbaston.
Reflecting on Akash's maiden five-wicket haul in an innings, Shreevats remarked, "It was just a matter of time. After the first inning, I called him and said that he would get it in the second inning."
Akash Deep laoding for a delivery during a Ranji Trophy game in 2023.
What led him to believe Akash Deep could become a future international star? "It was his pace and strength," Shreevats replied.
"He was raw. Some bowlers hit the gloves very hard, and Akash Deep was one of them," he recalled, emphasising the potential he saw in him during the Ranji Trophy and other domestic tournaments.
"He was very young back then, and I knew with time, he would get faster and stronger. This is exactly what happened in the next two to three years."
In the next three years, Akash Deep played in the Indian Premier League alongside his favourite Virat Kohli and also helped Bengal reach the final of the Ranji Trophy, and then in 2024 went on to earn the Test cap as well.
"You see him, you will notice how strong he is - physically and mentally. He has gone through so many tough times, but nothing could distract him from his goal.
Great singing for @RCBTweets . Akash deep is a gun bowler who can clock 140+ consistently. He’s fit and strong . Have been amazing for Bengal recently . So happy for him ! Amazing guy too . Hope he gets a few game to show his class . pic.twitter.com/cyWe47djWJ
Akash Deep's journey - a testament to mental strength
Akash Deep at Eden Gardens after signing for Barisha Sporting Club.
Since his early days, Akash Deep has faced many challenges in his career and personal life.
Born in Bihar, he initially encountered rejection from his father regarding his pursuit of cricket. In 2010, he moved to Durgapur, West Bengal, in search of a job and later relocated to Kolkata.
With the assistance of a few local club officials, he signed with the United Club and began his journey in Bengal cricket. He excelled in local club cricket and was soon fast-tracked to the Bengal U-23 team, where he played a pivotal role in helping Bengal reach the final of the C.K. Nayudu tournament and win the U-23 One-Day tournament.
He quickly progressed to the Bengal senior team, and as they say, the rest is history. Even a career-threatening back injury and the loss of his brother and father within six months in 2015 could not break his mental resolve.
Following the Edgbaston Test, he revealed that his sister is battling cancer and dedicated his performance to her. These experiences illustrate his remarkable mental toughness.
Akash Deep after a picking up wicket in Ranji Trophy in 2023.
Along with his resilience, another quality that sets Akash apart is his hunger for improvement and greatness.
"He used to live in the C.A.B. dormitory. Many cricketers were around, but whenever I visited the indoor facilities or gym, I would always see Akash Deep putting in the effort. He always had the hunger to reach the international level," Shreevats shared.
Akash Deep after dismissing Ben Duckett. Image | X
Shreevats feels Akash Deep's ability to hit the wicket hard and extract something from the pitch will help him even on flatter pitches. Moreover, he can beat the batter's outside edge and inside edge, which makes him more threatening.
"He will beat your outside edge and inside edge. This is something which sets him apart from the other domestic bowlers."
"Look at the wicket of Joe Root - how he went wide of the crease, angled the ball and then straightened it to get Root out was just incredible."
Along with Joe Root's wicket, Shreevats was impressed to see how Akash Deep got Ben Duckett out. He feels that if Akash Deep and Ben Duckett face each other more in test cricket, he will make Ben his bunny.
"Just like Stuart Broad made David Warner his bunny in test cricket, I have the feeling that Akash Deep can also make Ben Duckett his bunny. Around the wicket, with the new ball - he will be deadly," Shreevats expressed.
— All Cricket Records (@Cric_records45) July 6, 2025
Who should share the new ball at Lord's?
After taking his 5-wicket haul, Akash Deep sprinted joyfully to the dugout to hug Bumrah and Shardul Thakur.
Shreevats feels that in the next test at Lord's, Akash Deep should share the new ball alongside Jasprit Bumrah. Throughout the entire second test, Akash Deep showed how lethal he is with the new ball, and that is why he wants him to run in with the new ball.
"He is capable of getting you wickets in any given situation. But, just how he has got Duckett and others out, I feel he should share the new ball along with Bumrah," Shreevats said.
Besides his bowling, Shreevats has always praised Akash Deep's batting ability from the start. He feels that Akash can even score a test ton in the next three to four years, given the opportunity.
Fast, accurate and fearless: Nuruddin Mondal bowling bouncer to life every day | Bengal Cricket Exclusive
Former India cricketer Wriddhiman Saha believes Nuruddin Mondal can play for India in future. The 21-year-old pacer is currently the joint highest wicket-taker of the Bengal Pro T20 League.
4 matches, 10 wickets and currently the joint-highest wicket-taker of the Bengal Pro T20 League 2025. 21-year-old Nuruddin Mondal has been the most impressive cricketer in this season's Bengal Pro T20 League.
His stellar performance impressed former India cricketer Wriddhiman Saha so much that he even went on to say that "he can play for India in future."
But it is not new for him. Coming from a mofussil named Madanpur in Nadia district, Nuruddin has been bowling bouncers to every problem of his life to reach where he is now. The Servotech Siliguri Strikers' pacer shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point.
How did it all start for Nuruddin Mondal?
Image | C.A.B.
Away before the Bengal Pro T20 League started, Sportz Point tracked Nuruddin's career since his second-division days.
Nuruddin started his cricketing career at the age of 8 at Kalyani Municipal Academy, where he learnt the basics of cricket under coach Sanjay Dey. I got to see him bowl many overs on that cement wicket.
But it was when he caught the attention of coach Debesh Chakrabarty that Nuruddin started progressing in his career. Debesh Chakrabarty is one of the most successful coaches in Bengal, known for producing players such as Sandipan Das, Sudip Gharami, Debopratim Halder, and many others.
"During the U-18 days, I felt I was faster than bowlers my age"
Nuruddin played in the C.A.B. U-13 and U-16 tournaments for Debesh Chakraborty's club. But when he started playing in the U-18 tournament, he began to feel that he was better and faster than his peers of the same age.
"I started cricket around the age of 8 or 9 in Kalyani under Khokha Sir (Sanjay Dey). Then Debesh Sir (Chakrabarty) noticed me and since then I have been a student of his," Nuruddin told Sportz Point.
"Although when I played U-13 or U-16 tournaments I did not feel any difference, during the U-18 tournaments, I started feeling that suddenly I was faster than others my age. It felt different," Nuruddin added.
Nuruddin comes from a very humble family. His father works as a house painter, and just like every son of the house, he understands the importance of doing well in life.
"When I felt that my pace had suddenly increased, and I became much stronger physically, I became more confident about my cricketing career," Nur expressed.
Three years of second division cricket, and then came Calcutta Customs
Image | C.A.B.
But just like every student of Debesh Chakraborty, Nur also had to go through the ranks of Bengal cricket to prove he was ready for the bigger stages. The young pacer toiled hard for three seasons at Bengal Sporting Club before signing for Calcutta Customs Club.
Still, it was not that smooth and easy for Nuruddin. He first had to impress one and all with a trial before getting signed by Customs.
"They asked me to go for a trial. I went and bowled well. All the coaches and Nilambar Sir (Saha) were impressed. They wanted me to sign for them."
"Debesh sir told me that even though I might get limited chances, I will learn a lot. So, I signed for them," Nuruddin stated.
However, those limited chances were good enough for Nuruddin to prove himself. In a season when Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal broke through the doors of the Bengal team from Customs, Nur took advantage of his chances in white ball format.
"I did well against Town in the T20 Quarter-finals. I bowled two maidens too. Then, did well against Mohun Bagan as well," he expressed.
Rejections made him better than ever
Nuruddin's impressive spells got him selected for the Bengal U-23 camp, but life wanted to test him more. He failed to get selected for the Bengal U-23 and also missed the Bengal Pro T20 League selection by a whisker.
In the first season of the league, Nur was a stand-by player for the Adamas Howrah Warriors. But these rejections made him stronger, and he knew in the next season, he would have to punch above his height.
"Though I was not selected for the Bengal U-23 team and Bengal Pro T20 League, I was sure that I was on the right track," he stated.
Nuruddin Mondal with Anustup Majumdar. Image | C.A.B.
In the 2024-25 season, Nuruddin worked on every aspect of his bowling and emerged as a 200% better bowler. With 27 wickets across formats, he was one of the best U-23 bowlers of the Kolkata Club Cricket.
During the season, he worked on the bouncer and yorker so much that now he has confidence in bowling it at his will against any batter.
"I practised them (bouncers and yorkers) so much that now I have the confidence of bowling it against any batter in any situation. Those two balls are my strengths"
Saha: "He can play for India in future"
This earned him a direct spot in the Servotech Siliguri Strikers' team, and the rest, they say, is history. Wriddhiman Saha even mentioned that he has all the capabilities to play for India in future.
Delighted to hear that from a legend like Saha, Nur wants to keep his head down and take one step at a time.
"When praise comes from a legend like Wriddhiman Saha, obviously, it makes you happy. He did not know me. He saw me bowling for the first time during practice.
"So, this makes it even more special. But, I want to keep my head down and take one step at a time," he conveyed.
The youngster has a dream of donning that Blue jersey one day. But, for now, he has his eye on the Bengal Pro T20 League trophy and then on that Bengal U-23 jersey.
"I feel like I need to keep doing what I have been doing well. Focusing on the process is the most important thing."
"But, if you talk about goal or aim, I want to win the Bengal Pro T20 League first, then play for Bengal U-23, then the seniors and hopefully for India in future. I want to climb up the ladder one by one," the youngster concluded.
Young guns at the top, perfect lengths, experience in the middle: Pune Warriors set a T20 blueprint at Women's Maharashtra Premier League
Without many superstars in the team, Pune Warriors won 7 out of 7 games to win the Women's Maharashtra Premier League 2025. Gaanesh Tyagi, the analyst of the team, shared the blueprint of the win with Sportz Point.
Seven out of seven wins. Invincible Pune Warriors defeated all the odds to come out victorious in the Women's Maharashtra Premier League 2025.
While other franchises had big names, such as Smriti Mandhana, Tejal Hasabnis, and Kiran Navgire, among many other stars of the women's game, Pune Warriors had a clear plan and strategy.
With only prominent names in Anuja Patil and Shweta Mane, the Pune Warriors Women's team depended on clear thoughts, executions and camaraderie to win the league. Team analyst Gaanesh Tyagi shared all the secrets in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point.
Gaanesh is a high performance analyst from Mumbai, who has worked for more than 10 T20 franchise teams. He was also the analyst of the Mumbai Cricket team, which won their first ever Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament in 2023.
The team combination: All-rounders, effectiveness and youth
Even before stepping onto the field to win the tournament, teams must first succeed in a different battle during the draft or auction. This is where many teams secure half of their victory. Women’s cricket has different demands than men’s cricket, and in T20 cricket, the need for strong all-rounders reaches its peak.
With captain Anuja Patil being the perfect all-rounder for the team, the coaching staff opted for additional all-rounders to effectively manage the middle overs.
"The entire coaching staff and captain Anuja Patil were involved in building the team. We aimed to have more all-rounders while also featuring skilled individuals for every situation in the game,” Gaanesh explained to Sportz Point.
During their initial meeting with the players, captain Anuja and the coaching staff discussed a comprehensive plan for winning the tournament. This provided every player with a clear roadmap and clarity on how they needed to prepare for each aspect of the game.
"In that first meeting, we talked about how we should be winning the tournament. Each player knew their role within the team, which helped provide a clear roadmap for everyone,” Gaanesh added.
This phrase has become quite popular in world cricket. Even in the Indian Premier League, the team with the superior bowling combination often performs better. Analysts play a crucial role here by offering insights on optimal lengths, lines, speeds, and determining who should bowl at various stages of the game.
For Pune Warriors, prior to each match, analysts would provide each bowler with a specific plan to tackle all potential batters they might face.
"In women’s cricket, understanding lengths is crucial. Knowing what length to bowl against which batter is key. We had strategies for each opponent.
"So, it was all about execution on the field, which our bowlers accomplished successfully. That’s why we had two bowlers, Chinmayee Bhorpale (the Purple Cap winner) and Anuja Patil, in the top five highest wicket-takers list," Gaanesh stated.
When you have a young and relatively inexperienced team, it’s essential to have someone who can guide each player. Just as the Rajasthan Royals had Shane Warne, Pune Warriors had Anuja Patil.
Anuja, who has played 50 T20Is for the Indian national team, possesses the knowledge necessary to win cricket matches. With her leadership, every young player learned how to approach each match to achieve victory.
"We affectionately called her the 'Boss Lady.'
The entire team respected and followed her decisions. In tournaments like this, a clear direction is crucial, and Anuja provided the guidance we needed with her experience."
Balancing the mix of youth and experience in team building can be challenging. Some players on the squad were born after Anuja and Shweta Mane began their cricket careers.
There was a noticeable gap in age and experience, so the team needed to blend these elements effectively to perform at their best.
Both Anuja and Mane acted as both friends and firm mentors, fostering a harmonious environment that brought out the best in young players like 17-year-old Akshaya Jadhav, 16-year-old Suhani Kahandal, and U-23 player Khushi Mulla, who ended up being the fourth-highest run-scorer of the tournament.
"Youth at the top and experince in the middle"
Although the powerplay and death overs seem to be entertaining, it is the middle overs that decide the winner in a T20 game. Be it with the bat or ball, the 7-15 overs of a T20I game are the most crucial overs.
That is why Pune Warriors had the plan of having the most experienced players playing the middle order, be it with the bat or ball.
That even allowed youngsters like Khushi Mulla, Suhani Kahandal and Akshaya Jadhav to have the freedom to enjoy the game.
"The middle overs control the outcome of the game. We even saw Smriti Mandhana batting in the middle order for Ratnagiri Jets. So, from the start of the tournament, we wanted to have experince in the middle overs and youth at the top," Gaanesh explained.
"Discipline, calmness and execution"
Winning all seven of your games is a significant challenge, and in T20 cricket, it’s nearly impossible to maintain that momentum throughout.
However, according to Gaanesh, if the team maintains discipline, calmness, and focuses on execution, the chances of not losing become greater.
He recounted the last over of the final match against Solapur Smashers: “We needed to defend 9 from 6 and it became 4 from 4. But we kept calm under pressure and executed well to win the title.”
Whenever a team without many superstars win any tournament, there comes a question of whether they will be able to continue that in the next season. We have seen it with the Rajasthan Royals in the past as well.
Since winning the inaugural season, they have not been able to win any trophies. What's the secret sauce to keep winning?
"Process," Gaanesh said.
He feels all the youngsters who got a bit of fame and name from this season need to aim for bigger goals and achievements. This is how they will be able to keep them ready for next season. Most importantly, they need to focus on the process which has given them results.