Kolkata: Bengal cricket team’s new season hasn’t started yet, but the controversy with the team has already started. There are still a lot of confusion whether veteran left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha would play for Bengal in the new season or he would get an NOC to play for Hyderabad, on the other hand Amit Banerjee has decided to leave Bengal as he will give a trial for Railways for the forthcoming season.
Bengal coach Sairaj Bahutule has reached the city of Joy today. It is Saraj’s third season with the side as their coach. He went to Eden Gardens today, but didn’t visit the players when they were doing their training. Later in the dressing room he talked to every player individually. Most of the talks were regarding to grow everyone’s mental toughness. Bengal started brilliantly last season but in the middle of it they lost a few close encounters. The team management is thinking on this matter seriously and the whole team has taken an oath that they will bring the Ranji Trophy home at any cost. Bengal played well in the recently conclude KSCA tournament. They lost in the semi-final unfortunately through toss.
On being asked about their opponents in the Ranji Trophy, Sairaj said,” Vidarbha, Services, Chhattisgarh all are very good teams. You can’t underestimate any team in this format. Ranji Trophy’s standard has gone up and every team is good here. I believe in playing good cricket and I think respecting the opponents and making sure that we play good cricket which would help us to qualify.”
Sairaj lauded the decision of BCCI to get back to the old home and away format in the Ranji Trophy.” People want to watch Manoj Tiwary, Ashok Dinda, Wriddhiman Saha to play at the Eden Gardens. The youngsters would get inspiration from these players, that are how I got inspiration from my seniors. So it’s a big motivating factor,” said Sairaj.
Wriddhi will play more matches for Bengal this season as there are not much Test series to be played in next few months. According to Sairaj this would help the young Bengal cricketers to learn a lot of thing from him.” It’s a bonus for Bengal as you know Wriddhiman is a brilliant team man. His vital suggestions would help the youngsters as well. His work ethics are good, he knows what he is doing,” added Sairaj.
Commenting on Ojha’s situation, Sairaj said,” Ojha has a lot of experience in this format but the CAB officials will take the final decision regarding him, I can’t comment on this matter.”
Amit Banerjee is right now in Vaijag to give a trial for Railways. He has decided to leave Bengal this season. He is in Bengal’s 35 men probables too. On being asked why he has decided to give trial for Railways, despite of being in the probables list, Amit replied,” Railways sent me the letter for trials before the selection of Bengal squad. I heard that Ojha will stay in Bengal in this season and there is a possibility that I won’t get a chance in the playing XI, for that I have taken this decision.
He has taken 30 wickets for All India Railway this season.”My ultimate goal is to play Ranji Trophy. I have got a chance to prove myself that I belong here and that’s why I have come to give this trial.”
Amit looked a bit disappointed as didn’t get any chance for the side despite being the top wicket taker in club level for last three seasons,” I was the top wicket taker in last three season. I thought that I would get a chance in the KSCA tournament to prove myself, but unfortunately the selectors didn’t pick me for the tournament too,” concluded Amit.