Rajesh Banik played 42 first-class matches and 24 list A matches (Image credit – tripurainfo) Former Tripura all-rounder Rajesh Banik, who represented India in the Under-19 World Cup, died in a road accident in west Tripura’s Anandanagar, officials said on Saturday. The 40-year-old Baník was survived by his father, mother and brother.His death on Friday left the state’s cricket fraternity in shock. “It is very unfortunate that we have lost a talented cricketer and under-16 cricket team selector. We are shocked. May his soul rest in peace,” Tripura Cricket Association (TCA) secretary Subarata Dey told reporters, quoted by PTI. Born on 12 December 1984 in Agartala, Banik made his Ranji Trophy debut for Tripura in the 2002-03 season. As a right-handed batsman and a broken-leg bowler, he played 42 first-class matches, scoring 1,469 runs at an average of 19.32 with six half-centuries and a highest score of 93. He also featured in 24 List A matches, scoring 378 runs, including an unbeaten century (101*), and played 18 T20 matches for the state. His last first-class appearance came against Odisha in Cuttack in November 2018. Banik later served as the coach of the Tripura Under-16 team and continued his association with the game beyond his playing days. Anirban Deb, secretary of Tripura Sports Journalists Club, said Banik’s contribution goes beyond his on-field performances. “He was one of the best all-rounders the state has produced but few knew about his ability to identify young talent. That’s why he became one of the selectors of the state under-16 team,” said Deb. The Tripura Cricket Association paid tribute to the former cricketer at its headquarters on Saturday, remembering him as a dedicated player and mentor whose work had a lasting impact on the cricket set-up in the state.
