Eden Garden became the venue for the summer cricket. The kids got excited playing on the hallowed turf. The media, especially the newspapers played a commendable role. They covered all the matches with pictures, highlighting the star performers. That made everyone try that much harder. Every one was keen to fee their pictures and names in the morrow's paper. The guardian's too got involved. TV coverage had brought the national heroes in the kitchen of almost every household. Not many mother know what's the 'off side' rule in soccer, the once number one sport of Bengal. But ask them of a 'wide' or 'pinch hitter' - he answer is right on their lips. The glamour, money and media mileage had penetrated deep down to their hearts. They were that much eager to push their kids to cricket.

As the summer cricket gathered momentum with the passing of every summer, Calcutta was deluged with cricket coaching camps. In the once Mecca of Indian football, suddenly cricket became every kid's passion. Then came that giant kick. Sourav, the 'Maahraja' emerged in the international scene with a bang. The role model, which was so very conspicuously missing, at last became a reality. And nursery cricket from then onwards rose from its infancy to a more matured stage. It blossomed into its fullest splendour.

Now a days in every nook and corner of our city of palaces you can hear the sound of leather hitting wood, why only Calcutta? Cricket fever among the kids has spread over to the far-flung places such as Jalpaiguri, Siliguri, Malda, Dirgapur and Burdwan. In fact, a couple of teams from Jalpaiguri and Durgapur have already acquired the status of giants. This no doubt angurs well for Bengal Cricket. The grassroots, the most crucial aspect of an infra structure has finally got its footing.

The result? We have Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Wrichick Majumder. These two lads are genuine product of this system. And many more potentials. unearthed at an early stage, are waiting in the wing.

Bournvita Cricket Academy is one of the glamorous outfits of city's nursery cricket. Situated at the Metropolitan Magistrate tent in Maidan, the Academy is run by ex-test star Arun Lal. The Academy do have to touch of class in their training method. In Gopal Bose, Pranab Nandy, Goutam Shome (Jr) Moloy Banerjee they have an enviable coaches panel. About 500 boys, mostly under - 13 kids avail the modern facilities of Bournvita Cricket Academy which is sponsored by Cadbury India Ltd. It's the only training centre in Calcutta where a turf wicket is available throughout the year. Special emphasis is given on fitness training. The effect is evident when the kids are out on the middle. Some of the kids are such smart fielders that they can make their illustrious Dadas blush. Jishnu Day and Sayak Ghosh, two dapper looking boys of this academy have already curved a niche for themselves in Bengal Cricket's hall of fame. Last year, these two quickies bowled out Baranagar Sporting before they could open their account. Abhishek Chakraborty, a well organised compact left handed opener has the potential and right temperament to be a star in the future.

Calcutta Criket Coaching Centre, more popularly know as C4, is another Calcutta giant. C4 enjoy the most ideal training conditions in Calcutta. In Rabindra Sarobar, surrounded by the lush green trees, their training ground reminds you the country grounds of England. Riten Bose, the ex-Bengal Ranji coach is their top boss. Then they have Raju Mukherjee and Kalyan Chowdhury as coaches. Some 500 trainees learn the ABCD of cricket every week. C4 had won the CAB summer cricket title on two occasions. Presently though, they are struggling a bit. Left handed Dipanjan Mustafi and wicket-keeper batsman Somudranil Sarkar are the boys to watch out for in the future.

At Dover Lane in South Calcutta, Ballygunge Cultural Seminar, a one time Calcutta giant, have a small piece of vacant land to train their wards. And you can not believe now they and the neighbours avoid the risk of injury in such a congested place. Ballygunge Cultural at one time was not only the CAB summer cricket title holder but also a dominant force in Calcutta. Due to fall out among the management they are presently in a spot of bother.

From Tala to Tolleygunge and Beleghata to Belgachia, coaching camps galore. The list is too long to mention. Still Belgachia Sporting, Sinthee Roy Para, J.S.S. (Jadavpur), P.Sen Memorial C.C. (Kalighat), Shahid Minar C.C.C., East Calcutta C.C.C. are some of the stronger sides.

On his visit to Calcutta, Dronacharza Ramakant Achrekar said, "Bengal lads are equally talented. They only lack extended match practice. Our Bomaby Boys play some 80 matches a year, whereas your boys play only 20 matches." He said that in early 1995. With the advent of the nursery cricket the Bengal kids now finally have plenty of match exposure to develop right moment. And as early introduction to physical fitness has given the right foundation to become smart fielders.

There, however, remains some dark areas too. The coaching camps have become flourishing business centres. Under the cover of a noble cause some men are reaping a rich harvest. Most of the camps take too many trainees - more for monetary benefit than unearthing talent. They can easily screen the bulk and emphasize on quality rather than quantity. But they are too greedy to sacrifice the lure of bucks. These unscrupulous men must be reminded that if the present renaissance is spoiled, then they will be the ones responsible for that.