In retrospect you will find that three were five veteran cricketers in the Bengal squad for the 97-98 season, namely Ajoy Verma, Goutam Shome (Jr.) Snehaish Ganguly and Srikant Kalyani. Two cricketers, Arindam Sarkar and Subroto Banerjee in their late twenties were struggling with their fitness. The message was loud and clear as the new seasons got underway. That potential, youth and exuberance would be given top priority. Laxmi Ratan Shukla, who made his Ranji Trophy debut last year and Wrichill Majumder, both teenaged boys having just graduated from the 4-19 Cooch Behar Trophy were made regulars. Then they had Ranadeb Bose, another tall rookie pacer from the 4-19 team. Bolstered by the youthful exuberance, Bengal’s bowling attack appeared that much penetrative this year.

Even while choosing the batsmen, the selections didn’t compromise with exhanshed veterans. Therefor, in Alokendu Lahiri, Nikhil Haldipur, Rohan Gavaskar, Ajoy Das and Charanjit Singh Bengal’s batting line up had a look of colt. It was made clear that past deeds won’t ensure anybody a place in the side. Subroto Banerjee, the ex-test discard was dumped after the first group league match. It surely jolted the ego of a lethargic Subroto. His controversial return to the team in the super league not with standing, he performed creditably to consolidate his place. The tour and dependable Srikant Kalyani, one veteran who should have been in the side all along, was recalled in the super league stage. And he proved a point or two with a sting of good scores. But then, the stern measures definitely lifted the standard of performance.

Bengal cricket since those heady days of 1990, when Bengal won the Ranjit Trophy, seemed to be heading for nowhere. More than anybody, it was the myopic administrators who deserved the flak. They were totally responsible for allowing things to drift. Arun Lal, with his exemplary performance brought a rare attitude of professionalism among the Bengal lads. That long missing body language called I can it’ rubbed off for every cricketer. Sadly, instead of nurturing this invaluable attitude with care, it was squandered away by some administrators observed with self gain. Bengal cricket suddenly wore a cosmopolitan look. Test discards from all corners of India started conglomerating under a safe haven called CAB. Their sole aim? To stage a comeback to the India team by using the strong of Jagmohan Dalmiya. The likes of Prashant Vaidya, Chetan Sharma, Narendra Hirwani, Praveen Amre, Saba Karim and Subroto Banerjee sealed the fate of promising local lads. The performance graph of Bengal Cricket showed a steady decline ever since the influx of outstation stars began. In most of them, save Saba Karim, there was a lack of commitment. These stars never required showing any form in the domestic league. Their places were secured in the Bengal team irrespective of their form. This was a big blow to the morale of the local boys. A gloom of frustration started hovering on them.

This year, CAB launched the new season on a positive frame of mind. Only three cricketers, namely Saba Karim, Rohan Gavaskar and Subroto Banerjee, ranked as true outsiders were retained. Of these, Rohan made his first class debut for Bengal. Hence he is not an outsider in true sense. Anyway, the move was a step in the right direction. Bengal’s dominant showing in the earlier part of the season was a testimony to that. Bengal topped the group in the zonal league and also qualified for the Wills trophy. With two stunning victories over Tamil Nadu and Delhi they reached the title round in the Wills trophy. The final was gifted away to M.P. of some a tortuous batting. In the Ranjit Super League, in spite of a promising beginning Bengal’s batsman yet again dug their own grave. The quarter final berth looked seemingly seen red. In the last match against Punjab at Eden Gardens all they needed was a first innings lead. But, much to the despair of the millions of supporters, Bengal, by conceding the first inning led were knocked out of the tournament. Thus their curtains for the 98-99 season came down much earlier than expected.

Sourav Ganguly’s rise to stardom has been the greatest boob for Bengal. His saga of success has instilled a feeling of self belief among the upcoming generation. That they too can succeed at the highest level. The kids now have an idol of their own. Inaugurated in 1992, CAB’s under 13 summer cricket has been able to channelise the enthusiasm of the kids in the right direction. Laxmi Ratan Shukla, now in the India team is a product of under 13 cricket. So is the highly rated leg spinner Wrichik Majumdar. The once missing grassroots has now got a firm footing in Bengal.

Bengal’s Ranji trophy campaigns in the last few years do not suggest anything extraordinary. That’s because of the fact that the talent has not been fully transport into reality. Cricketers from this part still lack temperament. It’s their inability to deliver the knock-out punch that has ruined all their good work. And so, they don’t have the result to show with.