Former Tripura all-rounder Rajesh Banik, who had represented India in the Under-19 World Cup, passed away in a road accident at Anandanagar in West Tripura, officials confirmed on Saturday. He was 40 and is survived by his parents and brother.
Banik made his Ranji Trophy debut for Tripura during the 2002–03 season and went on to become one of the prominent players in the state. After his playing days, he contributed to cricket administration as a selector for Tripura’s Under-16 team.
His sudden demise on Friday has left the state’s cricket community in deep shock. The Tripura Cricket Association (TCA) paid its respects to the former cricketer at its headquarters on Saturday.
“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,” TCA secretary Subarata Dey told reporters.
Anirban Deb, secretary of the Tripura Sports Journalists’ Club, highlighted that Banik’s impact went well beyond his playing days.
“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,” Deb said.
Former Tripura All-Rounder Rajesh Banik Remembered For His Lasting Impact
Born on December 12, 1984, in Agartala, Rajesh Banik began his first-class career with Tripura during the 2002–03 Ranji Trophy season. A right-handed batter and leg-break bowler, he played 42 first-class matches, amassing 1,469 runs at an average of 19.32, which included six fifties and a top score of 93.
In addition, he represented Tripura in 24 List A games, scoring 378 runs with an unbeaten century (101*), and featured in 18 T20 matches for the state side. Banik’s last first-class match was against Odisha in Cuttack in November 2018. After retiring from active cricket, he continued to contribute to the sport as a selector for Tripura’s Under-16 team.
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