West Bengal is a state in Eastern India that has contributed immensely to the game of cricket in the country. The state has produced several talented cricketers who have represented India at the international level. In this article, we will be discussing the top seven West Bengal players to play for India. These players have not only brought glory to the state but have also left an indelible mark on the Indian cricketing fraternity.
1. Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly, also known as Dada, is one of the most successful Indian captains of all time. He hails from Kolkata, West Bengal, and is known for his aggressive captaincy and excellent batting technique. Ganguly made his debut for India in 1992 and went on to play 113 Tests and 311 ODIs for the country. He scored over 18,000 runs in international cricket and is one of the most iconic cricketers to have played for India.
Ganguly’s greatest contribution to Indian cricket was his leadership skills. He took over the captaincy of the Indian cricket team in 2000 and transformed the team into a world-beating side. Under his captaincy, India reached the final of the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup and also won the NatWest Trophy in 2002, famously taking off his shirt at Lord’s in celebration.
One of Ganguly’s most notable achievements as captain was leading India to the final of the 2003 World Cup. Although they ultimately lost to Australia in the final, Ganguly’s captaincy and performances in the tournament were widely praised, and he became a national hero.
Ganguly’s tenure as captain was not without controversy, however. He had several high-profile clashes with other players and coaches, and his relationship with former Indian coach Greg Chappell was particularly acrimonious. Ganguly was eventually sacked as captain in 2005, but he continued to play for India until 2008.
Ganguly was also a technically sound batsman who could play both pace and spin with ease. He was known for his cover drives and square cuts and was a master of the off-side. Ganguly’s contribution to Indian cricket cannot be overstated, and he remains one of the greatest cricketers to have played for India.
After retiring from international cricket, Ganguly remained involved in the game as a commentator, administrator, and mentor. He was appointed as the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2019, and he has been credited with bringing much-needed stability and reform to Indian cricket.
2. Jhulan Goswami
Jhulan Goswami is a fast bowler from Chakdaha, West Bengal, who is considered one of the greatest female cricketers of all time. She has played 10 Tests, 182 ODIs, and 68 T20Is for India and has taken over 400 international wickets. She is the highest wicket-taker in women’s One Day Internationals.
Goswami made her debut for India in 2002 and has been a consistent performer for the team ever since. She has the ability to swing the ball both ways and is also known for her accuracy. Goswami has led the Indian women’s cricket team on several occasions and has been a role model for young female cricketers in India.
Goswami’s greatest achievement came in the 2007 ICC Women’s World Cup, where she took 10 wickets and helped India reach the final. She was also part of the Indian team that reached the final of the 2005 and 2017 editions of the tournament. Goswami’s contribution to Indian cricket has been immense, and she remains one of the greatest cricketers to have played for India.
Also read: 8 Cricketers from Odisha who became famous at International Level
3. Wriddhiman Saha
Wriddhiman Saha is a wicketkeeper-batsman from Siliguri, West Bengal, who has played 38 Tests, 9 ODIs, and 5 T20Is for India. He is considered one of the best wicketkeepers in the world and is known for his safe pair of hands behind the stumps.
Saha made his debut for India in 2010 and has been a consistent performer for the team ever since. He is a technically sound batsman who can bat in the lower middle order and is also an excellent wicketkeeper. Saha’s greatest achievement came in the 2016-17 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he scored a crucial century in the third Test and was also outstanding behind the stumps.
Saha’s wicketkeeping skills are highly regarded in the cricketing world, and he is often considered to be one of the best wicketkeepers in the world. He is known for his lightning-fast reflexes, sharp anticipation, and excellent technique behind the stumps. Saha is also a handy lower-order batsman, and he has scored several crucial runs for India in Test matches.
One of Saha’s most notable performances came in the 2018 Test series against South Africa, where he played a vital role in India’s victory in the third Test. Saha took ten catches in the match, which was a record for an Indian wicketkeeper in a Test match, and he was named the player of the match.
Saha’s contribution to Indian cricket has been immense. Despite the challenges he has faced, Saha remains a highly respected member of the Indian team, and he continues to play a vital role in their success. As a representative of the Indian cricket team from Bengal, he has inspired young cricketers from the state to pursue their dreams and strive for excellence in the sport. Saha is a true ambassador for Bengal cricket, and his contributions to Indian cricket will be remembered for years to come.
4. Pankaj Roy
Pankaj Roy was a legendary opening batsman from Barisal, East Bengal (now Bangladesh), who represented India in 43 Tests between 1951 and 1960. He was known for his impeccable technique and was one of the most consistent batsmen of his time. Roy’s greatest achievement came in 1956 when he scored a mammoth 173 against England at Manchester, which helped India win their first Test in England.
Roy was also a pioneer in Indian cricket and was the first Indian to score a triple century in first-class cricket. He scored an unbeaten 283 for Bengal against Hyderabad in 1952-53, which was the highest score by an Indian batsman at that time.
Roy’s contribution to Indian cricket has been immense, and he remains one of the greatest batsmen to have played for India.
5. Md. Shami
Md Shami, whose full name is Mohammad Shami Ahmed, is a professional Indian cricketer who hails from the state of Bengal. He was born on September 3, 1990, in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, and later moved to Kolkata, West Bengal, where he began his cricketing journey.
Shami is a right-arm fast bowler who is known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace. He made his international debut for India in 2013 in an ODI against Pakistan and has since played in all three formats of the game.
Shami’s rise to fame came during the 2015 World Cup, where he played a crucial role in India’s campaign. He finished as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament, with 17 wickets in just 7 matches. Since then, he has become a regular member of the Indian team and has played in several important series, including the 2019 World Cup and the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
In addition to his success in international cricket, Shami has also been a key player for his IPL franchise, the Kolkata Knight Riders. He has also represented Bengal in domestic cricket and has been one of their leading bowlers over the years.
Shami is widely regarded as one of India’s best fast bowlers in recent times. His ability to swing the ball at pace and bowl accurate yorkers makes him a potent weapon in all conditions. He has also shown great resilience, having battled injuries and personal issues to make a comeback to the Indian team. With age on his side, Shami is expected to play a crucial role in India’s future campaigns, both at home and abroad.
Also read: 8 Overrated Cricketers who Played International Cricket
6. Ashok Dinda
Ashok Dinda is a retired Indian cricketer who represented the Indian cricket team in various formats of the game. He was born on March 25, 1984, in Moyna, West Bengal, and began his cricketing journey at a young age.
Dinda is a right-arm medium-fast bowler who made his debut for the Indian team in 2010 in an ODI against Zimbabwe. He went on to play 13 ODIs and 9 T20Is for India, taking 12 and 17 wickets, respectively. He was also a regular member of the Indian team in the domestic circuit, playing for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy and other tournaments.
Dinda made his debut for Bengal in the 2005-06 season of the Ranji Trophy and quickly established himself as one of the leading bowlers in the team. He finished as Bengal’s leading wicket-taker in the 2007-08 season and continued to perform consistently over the years. He played a crucial role in Bengal’s successful run in the 2019-20 season, where they reached the final of the Ranji Trophy.
Off the field, Dinda was known for his fiery temper and his tendency to get into heated arguments with opposition players and umpires. He also had a public fallout with his Bengal teammate Manoj Tiwary, which led to him being dropped from the team for a brief period.
Despite the controversies, Dinda was widely regarded as one of Bengal’s finest fast bowlers. He finished as Bengal’s highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy and was also the leading wicket-taker in the 2011-12 season of the IPL.
Dinda retired from all forms of cricket in February 2021, bringing an end to his illustrious career. He finished with 420 wickets in 116 first-class matches, 151 wickets in 98 List A matches, and 141 wickets in 138 T20 matches. He will be remembered as one of Bengal’s greatest cricketers, who always gave his all for the team and the sport.
7. Manoj Tiwary
Manoj Tiwary is a former Indian cricketer who represented the Indian cricket team in various formats of the game. He was born on November 14, 1985, in Howrah, West Bengal, and began his cricketing journey at a young age.
Tiwary is a right-handed middle-order batsman who made his debut for the Indian team in 2008 in an ODI against Australia. He went on to play 12 ODIs and 3 T20Is for India, scoring 287 and 15 runs, respectively. He was also a regular member of the Indian team in the domestic circuit, playing for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy and other tournaments.
Tiwary made his debut for Bengal in the 2004-05 season of the Ranji Trophy and quickly established himself as one of the leading batsmen in the team. He finished as Bengal’s leading run-scorer in the 2006-07 season and continued to perform consistently over the years. He played a crucial role in Bengal’s successful run in the 2019-20 season, where they reached the final of the Ranji Trophy.
Off the field, Tiwary was known for his dedication and hard work. He was often seen practicing for long hours in the nets, trying to perfect his game. He also had a public fallout with his Bengal teammate Ashoke Dinda, which led to him being dropped from the team for a brief period.
Despite the controversies, Tiwary was widely regarded as one of Bengal’s finest cricketers. He finished as Bengal’s highest run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy and was also a key player for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.
Tiwary announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in September 2021, bringing an end to his illustrious career. He finished with 9821 runs in 201 first-class matches, 4949 runs in 174 List A matches, and 3323 runs in 162 T20 matches. He will be remembered as one of Bengal’s greatest cricketers, who always gave his all for the team and the sport.
There have been several talented cricketers from West Bengal who have represented India on the international stage, but if we had to pick the top 7, they would likely include the likes of Sourav Ganguly, Jhulan Goswami, Manoj Tiwary, Wriddhiman Saha, Ashok Dinda, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, and Shib Shankar Paul. These players have not only brought pride to their home state but also showcased their skills and contributed significantly to the Indian cricket team.
