Former Tripura Ranji Trophy player dies in road accident

Agartala, Nov 1 (PTI) Former Tripura all-rounder Rajesh Banik, who represented India in the Under-19 World Cup, died in a road accident at Anandanagar in west Tripura, an official said on Saturday.

He was 40 and is survived by his father, mother and brother.

Banik, who made his Ranji Trophy debut for Tripura in the 2002-03 season, was among the state’s leading cricketers of his time and later served as a selector for the Under-16 state team.

His untimely death on Friday has shocked the cricket fraternity in the state.

The Tripura Cricket Association (TCA) paid rich tribute to the former cricketer at its headquarters on Saturday.

“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,” TCA secretary Subarata Dey told reporters.

Anirban Deb, secretary of the Tripura Sports Journalists’ Club, said Banik’s contribution went beyond his playing career.

“He was one of the finest all-rounders the state has produced, but 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,” Deb said. PTI PS TAP ATK