Under Pressure: Sumanta Gupta’s Rise as Bengal’s Ranji Trophy Vanguard

In the Bengal dressing room at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in Surat, an unassuming A4 sheet is affixed to a wooden panel on the wall. At first glance, it might seem insignificant, but it carries a message more impactful than any team pep talk.

“Enjoy pressure,” it declares.

Sumanta Gupta is quietly eating his lunch in the foyer, shortly after Bengal’s impressive victory against Railways in the Ranji Trophy, achieving an innings and 120-run win. His gaze rests on the fluttering piece of paper that seems to whisper to him.

The romantic in me as a reporter wants to believe that, for a fleeting moment, a gentle smile may have graced his face, hinting at a deeper narrative.

Perhaps it took him back to February 16, 2023, a pivotal day.

During the Ranji Trophy final at Eden Gardens, Bengal faced Saurashtra. Despite being on home turf, the pressure was immense, especially for Sumanta, who debuted in First-Class cricket at 32. Opening the innings, a role unfamiliar to him, he scored just 1 in both innings. The disappointment was compounded when Bengal lost to Saurashtra by nine wickets.

“I failed miserably. Sanjay Das sir, treasurer of the Cricket Association of Bengal, defended my selection despite criticism. He believed in me. He encouraged me to practice at the Videocon Academy and reminded me my job was to perform,” Sumanta recalls.

Despite the setback, head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla encouraged Sumanta to remember the experience and the criticism it drew. Shukla continues to remind him of that final before every game, instilling a fighting spirit in his team.

“Laxmi da is a fighter and has imparted that spirit to us. He reminds me about the Ranji Trophy final regularly, urging me to stay determined. He did so when I scored 82 against Uttarakhand in October and 98 in the Buchi Babu (Invitational Tournament) in August,” Sumanta shares with Sportstar.

Inspired by this controlled aggression, Sumanta scored his maiden First-Class century on Sunday, lifting a burden from his shoulders.

“Scoring a century is unparalleled. Though I’ve scored hundreds in club cricket, this feels special. I dedicate this knock to Shukla sir, Sanjay, my wife Bishakha, and my father,” a relieved Sumanta states.

Sumanta’s father, Anil, also a former cricketer, played in the Vizzy Trophy. After taking a bank job, he dreamed of Sumanta excelling in cricket. Sumanta fell in love with the sport, sharing the ambition.

“I started playing in 1996. My home was far from Kolkata, in Rampurhat. I would travel to Kolkata holding my dad’s hand. He was my first coach,” he says.

Navigating life in the city was hard for Sumanta and Anil. They initially stayed in a dormitory in Dharmatala, sharing space with truck drivers, but persevered despite challenges.

“I used to bowl leg-spin in my youth but have shifted to off-spin in nets, inspired by Shukla sir. I enjoy it,” he notes.

As a Michael Clarke fan, Sumanta may be a late bloomer, but he believes it’s better late than never. At 34, with 338 runs from six First-Class matches and a 42.25 average, he shares the aspirations common among domestic cricketers.

“I have faith in God and draw inspiration from Ruku da (Anustup Majumdar), who’s considered a crisis man at 41. There’s always hope. I aim to win matches and help Bengal secure the Ranji Trophy,” he asserts.

Indeed, Sumanta seems to be embracing the pressure with open arms.