Former Indian Under-15 cricketer Rajesh Banik, who represented Tripura at all age group levels and in the Ranji Trophy, has passed away after a horrific road accident in Anandnagar, Tripura.
Cricket has seen many unfortunate moments in recent times. The life of a young and budding cricketer from Australia came to a tragic end on Thursday, while now a senior former cricketer from the Indian subcontinent has passed away. The cricket fraternity in India is saddened by the sudden and unfortunate death of the cricketer.
Former Indian Under-15 cricketer dies in road accident
Former Tripura cricketer and his former captain Rajesh Banki died in a road accident in Anandnagar in the western region of Tripura state. An official of Tripura Cricket Association gave this information.
The former cricketer was 40 and his father, mother and brother were saddened by his death. He was born on 12 December 1984 and played for Tripura as a right-handed batsman and part-time leg spinner.
He made his Ranji Trophy debut for Tripura in the 2001–02 season and was one of the leading cricketers from the state during that period. He himself was a part of the India Under-15 team and also served as a selector for his state’s Under-16 team.
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Banik played 42 first-class games for his state team between the 2001–02 and 2017–18 seasons, adding 24 List A matches and 18 T20Is. After scoring 1469 runs at an average under 20 in FC cricket, he also scored 378 and 203 runs respectively in the two other formats.
Banik played for India in under-15 matches and was in the 15-man squad for the Asian Cricket Council tournament in Kuala Lumpur along with his contemporaries Irfan Pathan and Ambati Rayudu. All three were also part of the under-15 team that toured England later that year.
Banik represented Tripura in all age-group tournaments including the Vijay Merchant Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, CK Nayudu Trophy, MA Chidambaram Trophy, Butchi Babu Invitational, Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy and finally, the National Under-25 tournament.
Tripura players wearing black arm bands during Ranji Trophy match
To pay tribute to him on his death, the senior Tripura cricketer, who is currently playing against Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, wore a black armband and the TCA also paid tribute to the former cricketer at its headquarters in Agartala.
“It is very unfortunate that we have lost a talented cricketer and selector of the under-16 cricket team,” secretary Subrata Dey said, according to PTI. “We are shocked. May his soul rest in peace.”
Anirban Deb, secretary of the Tripura Sports Journalists Club, said, “Not many people knew about his ability to spot young talent. That’s why he was made one of the selectors for the under-16 state team,” proving that his contributions went beyond the field.
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