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Former Tripura captain dies in a road accident; Players pay tribute during Ranji Trophy match

Shreyasi

Rajesh Banik, former first-class cricketer [Source: X/@mrsnowwhite1000]Rajesh Banik, former first-class cricketer [Source: X/@mrsnowwhite1000]

Former first-class cricketer and state captain of Tripura, Rajesh Banik died in a road accident in Anandanagar in western Tripura on Saturday. Reportedly, the 40-year-old Banik is survived by his father, mother, and brother.

Banik's promising first-class career for Tripura

Rajesh Banik made his Ranji Trophy debut for Tripura in 2001-02 season and became one of the promising cricketers of Tripura in no time. Later he also served as a selector for the state’s Under-16 team. Born on December 12, 1984, Banik was a right-hand batter and occasional leg spinner. He played 42 first-class matches and scored 1469 runs at an average of 19.32 for Tripura. He also played 24 List A matches, scoring 378 runs and 18 T20s scoring 203 runs- all between the 2001-02 and 2017-18 seasons.

Banik represented Tripura at many domestic age-group tournaments like the Vijay Merchant Trophy, the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the CK Nayudu Trophy, the MA Chidambaram Trophy, the Buchi Babu Invitational, the Under-19s Cooch Behar Trophy and the National Under-25 tournament. He shared dressing room with former Indian cricketers like Irfan Pathan and Ambati Rayudu during the Asian Cricket Council Under-15 tournament in Kuala Lumpur in 2000. He also toured England with the India Under-15 in the same year.

Tripura Cricket Association pays tribute

The Tripura Cricket Association paid tribute to the former cricketer in Agartala on Saturday. Subrata Dey, the secretary told PTI,

"This is very unfortunate that we have lost a talented cricketer and selector of the Under-16 cricket team. We are shocked. May his soul rest in peace."

Anirban Deb, secretary of the Tripura Sports Journalists' Club, recalled Banik's contribution in identifying and mentoring young talent.

"He was one of the finest all-rounders the state has produced, but not many knew about his ability to identify young talent. That's why he was made one of the selectors of the Under-16 state team."

The Tripura senior men's team players who are currently playing a Ranji Trophy match in Agartala against Bengal, wore black armbands to pay tribute to Rajesh Banik.