For the cricket lover of Silchar and the entire Cachar district, there is something exciting in-store. Silchar District Sports Association organised Narayan Paul Memorial Prize Money, Super Division league is set to kickstart from tomorrow. Six top clubs in the district will play each other from tomorrow onwards. For the spectators, it is the creme.
Touted as the biggest Cricket tournament in the district, Super Division matches will be played with the white ball. Players in coloured jerseys will play 40-over matches and the finals are likely to be played under the floodlights. The six clubs are- defending champion United Club, runner-up of last year India Club, Town Club, Itkhola AC, Club Oasis and Jogajog Sangha. It is worth mentioning here that Jogajog Sangha got promoted last year after winning the first division league.
The winners will get Rs 30,000 cash and trophy while the runner-up team will bag Rs 20,000. This year, Super Division is more than a cricketing challenge, believe Prakash Bhagat, Samik Das. Left-handed star batsman Prakash Bhagat is a name that used to keep the opponent’s dressing room worried. Now he is a key member of the Itkhola AC team and also fulfills the responsibility of the cricket secretary.
Bhagat feels it will be a challenge for the players to mentally adapt to the competitive nature of the tournament. “Cricketers have not played much because of the lockdowns and the outbreak of the pandemic. Hitting the ground and playing Super Division straight away will be a tough task,” he opined.
Itkhola AC has a balanced team on paper. “But matches are not played on paper,” Bhagat quickly makes a point while conversing with Barak Bulletin’s correspondent. There will be the pressure of expectations on Itkhola AC as left-arm orthodox bowler Rahul Singh will play for them. Rahul just returned from the bio-bubble in Dubai where he toured with the Rajasthan Royals team as a net bowler. Apart from Rahul, Saddik Imran is another attraction of Itkhola AC.
Transferred to Town Club, Samik Das also echoed Bhagat’s views. “It is great that finally we have some cricket to play and I am happy to be on the ground again,” said Das. He feels the team that will get back in the groove as a unit will perform the best. “This year, adjustment is going to be pivotal,” shared the all-rounder.
Das is upbeat about his Town Club team but at the same time, he is cautious too. “We have a good team but the fact is that we have not got a chance to practice together as a team yet. All the players have trained themselves at their own capacity. The good part is that we have a gap after our first match and we can use that time to get along together,” asserted Das.
Player turned administrator Himadri Das who dons the hat of Cricket Secretary at India Club has his eyes on the championship trophy. There is a saying, you never win a silver, always lose a gold. India Club lost gold last year and this year, they are set to go all guns blazing. Himadri Das, popularly known as Buddha said that the unit that India Club has put together is strong. The captain of the ship that will sail in the Super Division is experienced, Rehan Mazumdar.
India Club has transferred in four players from other districts under Assam Cricket Association. Das feels, they will play a vital role. Wicket-keeper – batsman Gobinda Rajbangshi, pacer Amar Kalita are two of them. They have also retained five players from last year’s squad.
Defending Champion United Club’s Cricket Secretary Prashanta Paul said the team is prepared to fight and retain the championship. However, during the clearance, there was a mass exodus from the club. The core of the club that won the title will now play for other teams. It is a rebuilding phase for Prashanta Paul and Co. “We have enough quality in our rooster to replace the players who have decided to move on,” said Prashanta Paul who has managed to retain only five out of 14 players.
The team’s backbone though stayed back. Batsman Raju Das has been toiling it hard all throughout the lockdown to keep himself in shape. Best player of last year according to the sports journalists of Barak Valley, Raju Das will be a player to watch out this Super Division. Along with Das, Mosarob Hussain the experienced player who weathered many storms in his career will also play for United. On paper, United may not be as strong as last year, but Prashanta Paul is optimistic.
Club Oasis and promoted team, Jogajog will start the tournament as underdogs. Veteran member of Club Oasis, Prasenjit Bhattacharjee has made it clear that his team will fight hard to remain in the division. “We will no let an inch of landslip away from beneath our feet without giving our 100%,” said Bhattacharjee.
Overall, when the Prime Minister of the country has appealed to the people of country to be vocal for local, Super Division is a great opportunity for the fans to boast the morale of local players as they play for pride. This tournament will also be an opportunity for the player to knock the door of selectors responsible for scouting the best talent to represent the state. Over to the 22-yards inside Satindra Mohan Dev Memorial Stadium, tomorrow the umpires will say – “Let’s play.”
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