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[caption id="attachment_15047" align="alignnone" width="580"] Laxmi Ratan Shukla with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after the swearing in ceremony. Image Source: Xtra Time[/caption] Kolkata: Barely six months from announcing his retirement from first class cricket, former India cricketer Laxmi Ratan Shukla was today sworn in as the Minister of State for Sports in the Mamata Banerjee ministry. Laxmi, who had his share of regrets in his cricket career wants to forget all about it as he begins a new innings, albeit on the political pitch, by becoming one of the youngest ministers in Mamata Banerjee's newly-sworn-in cabinet. Shukla, who also played for India in 3 ODI’s do not want to look back at his career."From today, I want to forget the past. What led to my retirement and why could not play more than 3 match for India, why I did not get a recall after 1999. I might have had some regrets on field but off it, in my second innings, I would like to start with a clean slate and make up by working for the development of people," said Shukla. It was the hallowed turf of Eden Gardens that made Shukla a Bengal legend and as he settles down at 'Nabanna' (Government headquarters), Shukla is keen to do justice to the resounding mandate that people of North Howrah has given him. "It's a different 'pitch' but as it has been the case with me, I am ready to slog it out. Earlier, for the cover drive, I had to 'reach' to the pitch of the delivery. Now I have to again 'reach' but it will be to the people of my constituency and the state. The people of Howrah (North) has blessed me as they had faith in Mamata Banerjee's candidate," commented Shukla. Shukla was given a ticket from Howrah North and rode the Trinamool Congress' (TMC) popularity to win the seat, polling 61,917 votes to beat Congress candidate Santosh Pathak and the BJP's Rupa Ganguly , a popular former actress. Such was Shukla's success that he defeated the Left Front-backed Pathak by a crushing 26,959 votes. He has his priorities set. According to Laxmi, "Didi's (Banerjee) wish is my command. I am ready to do anything for the development of the people. You don't get this kind of a mandate had there been no development in the state. My job is to be one of the soldiers, who will be the torch-bearer of that development," said the former all-rounder, who scored 6217 first-class runs and took 172 wickets. This is not the first time that a sportsperson has got a portfolio in the cabinet. At the centre, there have been instances of sportspersons getting ministerial berth during various regimes. Shukla’s trademark was his confidence that has won him many a battle on the cricket field. The dashing all-rounder never had any doubts about his victory. "Self belief is something which I have always had in abundance. I had no doubts in my mind that my victory margin will be a big one," said Shukla.