News moves fast; this one hit hard. Rajesh Banik, once the heartbeat of Tripura’s batting line-up and an India Under-15 tourist back in 2000, died on Saturday following a road accident at Anandanagar in western Tripura. He was 40. PTI confirmed the news through officials at the Tripura Cricket Association (TCA).
First the basics
• Right-hand batter, part-time leg-spinner
• Tripura captain and later junior selector
• 42 first-class appearances from 2001-02 to 2017-18
• Also turned out in 24 List A and 18 T20 matches
Across those formats he piled up 1469 first-class runs at 19.32, another 378 in List A cricket and 203 in the shortest form. He was never the most eye-catching name on a team-sheet, yet colleagues regularly point to his willingness to graft on sluggish Agartala pitches.
The age-group rise
Born 12 December 1984, Banik shared dressing-rooms with Ambati Rayudu and Irfan Pathan for India Under-15s. The squad lifted the Asian Cricket Council title in Kuala Lumpur, then toured England later that same year. Coaches felt Banik might push higher, but Tripura’s limited domestic exposure often works against its players.
Selectors’ room
When the runs finally dried up, Banik stepped quietly into talent-spotting. Friends say it suited him. TCA secretary Subrata Dey 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, who heads the Tripura Sports Journalists’ Club, stressed Banik’s quieter impact: “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.”
Immediate tributes
Tripura’s senior side, currently hosting Bengal in the Ranji Trophy at Agartala, wore black armbands on day two. A short ceremony at the TCA office followed—no speeches, just teammates and administrators standing around, sharing stories.
Why it matters
Tripura remain minor players on India’s domestic circuit. Figures like Banik—steady performers willing to return and help the next batch—are vital. His death leaves a gap not just in nostalgia but in practical mentorship.
Perspective
In raw numbers, a 19-run average and no India A cap look modest. Context matters. Small-centre cricketers juggle patchy infrastructure, rare first-class fixtures and long rail journeys to away games. Banik endured the lot, hardly complained, and stayed loyal.
He is survived by his parents and a brother. No funeral details have yet been released. The hope, expressed quietly around College Tilla ground, is that the Under-16 boys he recently shortlisted play this season with his work ethic in mind.
