The reasons for Bengal's poor showing
The captain of the Bengal cricket team Utpal Chatterjee feels that the irresponsibility of some of the members of his team led to the poor showing in the Ranji Trophy
Sakyasen Mittra
22-Mar-2000
The captain of the Bengal cricket team Utpal Chatterjee feels that the
irresponsibility of some of the members of his team led to the poor
showing in the Ranji Trophy. Chatterjee, who finished the season with
52 wickets from seven matches is of the opinion that unless something
drastic is done, the standard of cricket in Bengal will not
improve. In fact, the manager and coach of the Bengal team Samir
Dasgupta and Palash Nundy are also disillusioned at the performance of
some of the so called stars.
The manager has already decided to present a very strong report
against some of the cricketers of the side. ``Do you know that Rohan
Gavaskar, Abdul Masood, Nikhil Haldipur were planning to go to a movie
as the side was losing wickets? They immediately left for a matinee
show after Bengal had lost to Mumbai. There was no remorse in them. A
loss does not affect them. They do not feel for the team,'' is
Dasgupta's complaint.
Nundy, on the other hand, feels that it is no use complaining to the
officials. ``What is the use,'' he laments. ``There will be no action
taken.'' He is also of the opinion that most of these cricketers have
their own pet officials who protect them against all allegations.
Both the coach and manager, however, are all praise for the senior
pros like Srikkanth Kalyani and Utpal Chatterjee. ``The youngsters do
not even learn from their dedication,'' remarked the manager.
Chatterjee, however, also blames the selectors for the debacle that
the team has suffered this season. ``We played 31 cricketers in the
eight matches that Bengal played this season. I did not have a settled
team.'' At the same time he also has a few harsh words for his
colleagues. ``The time has come for them to prove their worth. They
have managed to get the Bengal cap quite easily. None of them are
concerned about the welfare of the team.''
However, it is doubtful whether anything will be done to stem the
rot. The joint secretary of the Cricket Association of Bengal Debdas
Bannerjee had asked the selectors this season not to include Rohan
Gavaskar in the 14 for a match in the preliminary stage earlier this
season. The junior Gavaskar had failed to attend the practise session
on time and Bannerjee had decided to take disciplinary action against
him. However, he had to retract his step due to the insistence of a
top CAB official. Today, a disappointed Bannerjee is apprehensive of
taking any action against an erring player.