Kolkata: Bengal’s only Ranji Trophy winning manager Swapan Mukherjee died today at his South Kolkata residence. He was aged 74 years old and was survived by his daughter. Mr Mukherjee was the manager of the Bengal team which won the coveted Ranji Trophy in 1989-90 season. He was also the honorary assistant secretary of the Cricket Association of Bengal (1995-1997). He represented Ballygunje Sporting Club in the CAB and was also a working committee member.
A thorough gentleman, Mr Mukherjee shared a good relationship with everyone at the CAB. The cricketers also respected him a lot. He was known to be very close with former BCCI and CAB President BN Dutt. Towards the later stages he became a staunch critic of late CAB President Jagmohan Dalmiya.
Former Bengal Ranji Trophy winning captain Sambaran Banerjee expressed his grief on hearing the sad news. According to Sambaran, “He was a thorough gentleman and shared a good relationship with the players. He was also a very disciplined person.”
Former Bengal cricketer and coach, expressed his shock to hear the news.
“It is shocking news. Swapanda was very close to us. He managed the team well during the 1989-90 season. The dressing room atmosphere was well looked after by him,” said Malhotra.
Former India cricketer and the backbone of the batting unit of that Ranji winning team, Arun Lal also expressed his shock about the news of Swapan Mukherjee’s death.