A Rising Star-Ankit Chatterjee Breaks Sourav Ganguly's 35-Year-Old Record at Just 15

In the annals of Bengal cricket, a new chapter was written as 15-year-old Ankit Chatterjee etched his name into history. At the tender age of 15 years and 361 days, Ankit became the youngest cricketer from Bengal to debut in the prestigious Ranji Trophy, surpassing none other than Sourav Ganguly. Ganguly entered the fray at 17 when Bengal triumphed in the 1989-90 final against Delhi. Now he hands baton to a brilliant talent whose journey, both inspiring and remarkable, has compelled attention.

First Impression of a Lifetime

The cricketing world saw the potential that Ankit's great cricketing prowess had in store for it when he first played his Ranji Trophy match against Haryana. When Bengal was at 10/1, he deftly pushed a highly experienced Haryana pacer, Anshul Kamboj, through the covers for his first scoring shot, which came effortlessly to him, as if channeling Ganguly's finesse- an appropriate description for a debutant breaking his record.

"I didn't feel nervous. The shot was on, so I went for it," declared Ankit smoothly from Kalyani. There has been so much poise on the field and off, which has followed him through all his budding journey.

A journey of grit and sacrifice

He has traveled a long way to end up where he is-totally devoted and willing to sacrifice-all for cricket. A Class X student, Ankit, from Bangaon High School, balanced his academics and cricket with such pristine discipline that he would reach Maidan, Kolkata's cricketing hub, in time for practice following the early Bongaon-Sealdah local train at 3:30 am, returning home only at 10 pm each day, something he did for the past three years with the support of his cousins.

His father, Anup Chatterjee, a contractor, played a crucial role in nurturing Ankit's passion. "He loved cricket from a young age and spent hours playing in our backyard," Anup recalled with pride. Recognizing his son's potential, Anup enrolled him in the Sonali Cricket Coaching Centre under coach Dolon Goldar.

Goldar remembers the quiet boy. "He used to be pretty disciplined," says Goldar of Ankit's work ethic, which would result in hours practicing until asked by Goldar himself to stop working.

Climbing the Rungs

Ankit's ascension into the Bengal cricket hierarchy has been nothing short of meteoric. First, he surfaced through the U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy in which he happened to emerge as Bengal's highest run-scorer, following which he gained a position within the U-19 set up under the watchful eyes of coach Saurasish Lahiri.

In the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, Ankit stunned spectators with a 75-ball century against Assam at Barabati Stadium, smashing nine sixes that landed in the stands. His consistency was further highlighted as he amassed over 400 runs in the tournament, becoming Bengal's highest run-scorer for the season.

Lahiri, who closely followed Ankit's career, called him a gutsy cricketer with enormous potential. "He is a team man who plays with a punch. His cover drive, a signature shot, is elegance personified," Lahiri said.

The young left-hander's performance didn't end at the Cooch Behar Trophy where he batted against big boys like Mumbai at Eden Gardens and completed his century by lunchtime.

A Future Full of Promise

Ankit's first game was a result of a last-minute opportunity when Bengal's established opener, Abhimanyu Easwaran, was ruled out due to injury. But the young cricketer rose to the challenge with maturity.

Coach Lahiri thinks Ankit could do a great deal for Bengal cricket. "He has got the flair and mindset. He will go wrong many times, but we need to give him freedom and confidence. He has an excellent future," said Lahiri.

As he turns 16, Ankit remains grounded despite his achievements. An ardent admirer of Virat Kohli, he is inspired by the Indian captain’s work ethic and on-field demeanor. “I’ve waited for this moment for a long time, but this is just the beginning,” he said humbly.

Celebrating a Milestone

Ankit’s family, who have been his unwavering support system, are planning a small celebration to mark his 16th birthday. His father shared a heartfelt moment, saying, “At home, he is still a kid. His mother feeds him with her hands. This time, we’ll have something sweet to celebrate his success.”

The Dawn of a New Era

This rise of Ankit Chatterjee heralds a zeal for hard work, resilience, and talent. Comparisons with Sourav Ganguly are inescapable, but this young star is cutting his own trail. The cricket fans from Bengal have a lot to look forward to as Ankit has the sets of growth and shining in the playground.

As he enters into a promising future, Ankit carries the hopes of a cricket-loving state to see another icon emerge. The new chapter for Bengal cricket has just begun, and Ankit Chatterjee is ready to script many more memorable moments.