The BCCI has rejected the Cricket Association of Bengal's (CAB) request to postpone their two home matches due to the threat of Cyclone Dana threat. The CAB requested to postpone one game each of the Ranji Trophy in Kolkata and the Under-23 Col CK Nayudu Trophy in Kalyani.

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The Senior Bengal side will take on Kerala in the third round of the Ranji Trophy at Jadavpur University Campus 2nd Ground. BCCI has kept a longer gap between the matches this season which gave hope to CAB getting the request approved. After the Bengal vs. Kerala match ends on October 29, Bengal will have nearly a week off before their next game against Karnataka, which starts on November 6 in Bengaluru. Same for Kerala as they will return home to face Uttar Pradesh in the fourth round at Thumba.

The Bengal Under-23 side will take on the Railways Under-23 side from 27 to 30 October at Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani where the Bengal versus Bihar Ranji Trophy game was completely washed out due to constant rain. Their next fixture is scheduled from 8 November to 11 against Vidarbha in Nagpur which is also a one-week gap.

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The Bengal side will miss the services of Abhimanyu Easwaran, Abhishek Porel, and Mukesh Kumar for the next couple of rounds in the Ranji Trophy as they have been picked for India A side for the Australia Tour. India A are scheduled to play Australia A in two four-day matches in Mackay from October 31 to November 3 and in Melbourne from November 7 to 10. They will then play the India squad in a warm-up match in Perth from November 15 to 17 before the first Test against Australia begins on November 22.

Abhimanyu, 29, has been part of India's Test squad previously - in Bangladesh in 2022 - and he has been in superb form this domestic season, scoring two hundreds in the Duleep Trophy, and another century in the Irani Trophy. Even Pacer Mukesh Kumar looked in fine form as he picked 6 wickets in their Ranji Trophy game against Uttar Pradesh. He picked up 5fer as well in Irani Trophy against Mumbai.

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has recently unveiled plans for the much-anticipated Bengal Pro T20 tournament, encompassing both men’s and women’s events. This initiative marks a significant milestone in Indian cricket, particularly for women’s cricket, as it promises to be the first full-fledged women’s franchise T20 tournament to be conducted by a state association.

First Women’s T20 League

The announcement of a dedicated women’s event within the Bengal Pro T20 tournament underscores the growing recognition and support for women’s cricket in India. While the country has witnessed the success of men’s T20 leagues, the absence of a comparable platform for women has been a glaring gap in the cricketing landscape. The introduction of this tournament aims to address this disparity and provide female cricketers with a prominent stage to showcase their talent and skills.

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Details Revealed by Snehasish Ganguly

During a press conference held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Snehasish Ganguly, the president of CAB, shared essential insights into the structure and format of the Bengal Pro T20 tournament. Among the key highlights disclosed were the duration of the game, team compositions, match venues, and operational guidelines.

“All the eight teams will be franchises-owned, which will be a first [in India for a state association-run tournament]. We have still not finalized the franchises, which will be announced at a later date. The teams will be completely owned by franchises and all players will be paid as per the salary cap. CAB will not incur any expense for the league,” Ganguly said.

Key Details of the Tournament

The Bengal Pro T20 tournament is scheduled to span over 21 days in June, featuring eight teams each in the men’s and women’s categories. Men’s matches will be hosted at the iconic Eden Gardens. In contrast, the women’s matches will take place at the Jadavpur University ground, a renowned venue for domestic cricket in the region.

Each men’s team will comprise 17 players, whereas women’s teams will consist of 16 players, all hailing from Bengal. Moreover, the tournament will adopt rules and regulations similar to those observed in the Indian Premier League (IPL), ensuring consistency and integrity across various aspects, including anti-corruption measures.

Potential Franchise Owners

CAB has been engaged in discussions with several prominent entities, including Kolkata Knight Riders and other corporate groups, regarding franchise ownership. While the final selection of franchise owners is pending, the involvement of established brands bodes well for the commercial success and visibility of the tournament.

Addressing Criticism and Providing Opportunities

Ganguly addressed longstanding criticisms concerning the limited opportunities available to Bengal cricketers compared to their counterparts from other regions. He expressed confidence that the Bengal Pro T20 tournament would catalyze change, offering local talent a platform to shine on a national stage. By nurturing homegrown talent and fostering a competitive environment, CAB aims to elevate Bengal’s stature in Indian cricket.

“For long, there had been criticism that Bengal cricketers were not getting opportunities like the ones from Tamil Nadu or Karnataka. This will be the answer to it. Bengal has a lot of talent but they did not have a proper platform till now. This will be a perfect launch pad for them,” Ganguly further added.