XtraTime Web Desk: Blow for Bengal cricket team as one of their top batsmen Sudip Chatterjee may not get No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Indian Railways for the forthcoming season. Sudip works for Railways and as per the rule he is bound to play for Railways if they want him in the squad. This has finally happened as the Railways have summoned Sudip for their pre-season camp which is set to start from August 29 at the Karnail Singh Stadium in Delhi.
Along with Chatterjee, Anushtup Majumdar has also been called for the camp.
The Bengal No 3 is currently playing Duleep Trophy for India Green side and scored 82 in the opening encounter.
Both Chatterjee and Majumdar procured NOC during last season but the Railway authorities are clear that no leeway will be given this time around.
“Railways have the first right on these sportspersons. Sudip is a valuable player for the Railways. This year, he and Anushtup will have to report to the camp and play for the Railways,” Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) secretary Rekha Yadav told PTI.
Asked about the possible consequences if they don’t report, Yadav said: “It’s simple. If they don’t report for the camp, they will not get NOC to play for any other state. In any case, it was the BCCI technical committee chaired by Sourav Ganguly which issued a diktat that only employees can play. We are giving them job security and in return we can expect them to play for Railways.”
Chatterjee, who has played 49 first-class games so far, has scored 3396 runs with 10 hundreds and 16 half-centuries.
He scored 514 runs and was the fourth highest scorer for Bengal while Majumdar, with 560 runs, was the third highest scorer.
Majumdar had earlier played for Railways but due to poor form was released and got a NOC to play for Bengal.
Asked what will happen if CAB president Sourav Ganguly requests her, Yadav replied: “I have huge respect for Mr Ganguly. I am very sure he understands that I am bound by rules so I don’t think he would make any such request. As RSPB secretary, it is my duty to ensure that Railways field the best team and that’s what has been my endeavour.”
After listing the comments of the secretary of Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB), CAB President Sourav Ganguly said,” I will talk to the head of Railway board about this matter and will take the decision regarding this matter after that.”
Sudip too isn’t concerned about this matter right now.” Like the last time, I am telling again that I want to play for Bengal. If the CAB can do something about this I will be greatful. I can leave my job of Railways to play for Bengal,” said Sudip.
If the sources are to be believed he almost has no other option than leaving his job. He had a chat with Sourav about this and the former Indian captain has assured him that he will be there for Sudip.” To help the Bengal cricketers getting more jobs I want to organize the P Sen Trophy in corporate style as the cricketers need job security as well,” said Sourav.
But there is another reason behind Sudip’s unwillingness of playing for Railways. If history to be believed, there are a very few cricketers from Railways who got a call up in the Indian team from Railways. Praveen Amre, Murali Karthik, Sanjay Banger, Ajay Ratra, Karn Sharma all have played really well for railways during their time but failed to cement their place in the Indian team Because the national selectors don’t back Raliway crickters. And that’s the reason why Sudip doesn’t want to play for Railways.