RSPB's refusal to give NOC to Sudip and Anustup leaves CAB in tatters
In a major blow to the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), two of its cricketers employed in Indian Railways- Sudip Chatterjee and Anustup Majumdar have been asked to report to the camp for the Railways. Chatterjee is currently playing in the Duleep Trophy for the India Green side.
Bengal’s premier batsman Chatterjee played for his state team in the previous season after getting NOC from his employers which seems unlikely this time around for him and his teammate Majumdar. Both of them have been summoned by the Railways to join the pre-season camp which is scheduled to begin from August 29 at the Karnail Singh Stadium, Delhi.
"Railways have the first right on these sportspersons. Sudip is a valuable player for the Railways. This year, he and Anustup will have to report to the camp and play for the Railways," Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) secretary Rekha Yadav told PTI.
When asked about the consequences if they fail to report, she replied, "It's simple. If they don't report for the camp, they will not get NOC to play for any other state. In any case, it was the BCCI technical committee chaired by Sourav Ganguly which issued a diktat that only employees can play. We are giving them job security and in return we can expect them to play for Railways."
Left-handed batsman Chatterjee has scored 396 runs in 49 first-class games which includes 10 hundreds and 16 half-centuries. The Barasat cricketer scored 514 runs and was the fourth highest scorer for Bengal in the previous season just below his Railways colleague Majumdar with 560 runs.
Majumdar, who has scored 2463 first-class runs in 49 matches, had also played for Railways in a couple of seasons of Indian domestic cricket but due to his poor form, he was released and played for Bengal thereafter.
"I have huge respect for Mr Ganguly. I am very sure he understands that I am bound by rules so I don't think he would make any such request. As RSPB secretary, it is my duty to ensure that Railways field the best team and that's what has been my endeavor," stated the RSPB secretary when she was asked what will happen if CAB president Sourav Ganguly requests her.