In the heart of Nadia district, a place that gifted Indian cricket the legendary Jhulan Goswami, another name is steadily carving its mark—Sayan Ghosh. A fiery pacer with a knack for swinging the ball and delivering under pressure, Sayan’s story is one of grit, rediscovery, and an unrelenting passion for cricket. In an exclusive conversation with Cric Insights, the 32-year-old fast bowler opened up about his journey, from a chubby kid nudged into sports by his father to becoming one of Bengal’s most consistent performers in domestic cricket, battling for 11 years through highs and lows, still waiting for that elusive top-level opportunity.
Early Days and a Spark Rekindled
Sayan’s tryst with cricket began in the fifth grade, not out of a burning ambition but a father’s practical advice. “I was in 5th standard when my father told me to play some sport because I was on the heavier side,” Sayan recalls with a smile. “So I played everything—cricket, football, volleyball. But cricket stuck with me.” Life, however, threw a curveball. After two years, the demands of academics forced him to step away from the game. It could’ve been the end of his story, but his friend Supratim’s encouragement reignited the spark. This time, it was tennis ball cricket—a format that shaped his unique bowling action, reminiscent of the great Lasith Malinga.
Mastering a Malinga-Like Craft
“Tennis ball cricket shaped my action and also helped me master the yorker, slower ball, bouncer, and outswinger—all skills that have helped me in professional cricket, especially in the death overs,” Sayan explains. That versatility, with a Malinga-like slingy action delivering lethal yorkers, has made him a standout in Bengal’s domestic circuit. His numbers speak for themselves: 60 wickets in 41 T20 matches with an economy rate of under 7 runs per over, despite bowling regularly in the death overs, and 44 wickets in 24 List A games. In the 2024-25 season, he claimed 13 wickets in 7 matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and 15 wickets in 7 matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His six First-Class matches for Bengal further showcase his ability to adapt across formats.
Climbing the Domestic Ladder
Sayan’s journey to Bengal’s senior team wasn’t straightforward. After returning to hard-ball cricket, he quickly made a mark, emerging as the highest wicket-taker at the U-19 district level. In 2011, he moved to Kolkata, staying with relatives to chase his dream of playing for Bengal U-19. His performances paved the way for U-23 selection, where he again topped the wicket charts. Representing BNR Club, Sayan delivered a memorable five-wicket haul against Mohun Bagan, steering his team to victory in the competitive Kolkata League. His dominance in the Bengal T20 League—19 wickets in one season, up from 13 the previous season—further cemented his reputation. Around the same time, he juggled a job with the Railways, balancing professional commitments with his cricketing aspirations.
IPL Hopes and Heartbreaks
The turning point came in 2017 when Sayan earned a call-up to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL, under the captaincy of Gautam Gambhir. “Gambhir was a great influence,” Sayan says, his voice tinged with respect. When Gambhir moved to Delhi Daredevils in 2018, he took Sayan along, pushing for him to get game time. Unfortunately, opportunities to play didn’t materialize, a setback that stung. “There was a phase when even after doing well, I was overlooked. That hurt. But I never stopped working hard,” he admits. Similarly, in First-Class cricket, Sayan faced frustration, being dropped twice after taking five-wicket hauls, much like Kuldeep Yadav’s experience of being sidelined from the Test side despite a five-wicket haul.
Bouncing Back with Resilience
Sayan’s resilience shone through. His performances in SMAT & VHT 2024-25 for Bengal marked significant milestones. “The last two years, I’ve been consistent,” he says. “My focus now is to play for Bengal consistently and get picked by an IPL team again.” Sharing nets and dressing rooms with stars like Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, and Abhimanyu Easwaran has sharpened his skills. “You learn a lot just by being around these players—their preparation, mindset, and hunger to win. That pushes me to be better every day,” Sayan reflects.
The All-Phase Bowler India Needs
The Indian team is in dire need of a specialist fast bowler who can excel in all three stages of a T20 game—new ball, middle overs, and death overs. With his searing pace and versatile skill set, Sayan Ghosh fits this role perfectly. His ability to swing the ball early, control the run flow in the middle, and deliver pinpoint yorkers in the death makes him a strong candidate for India in T20s. Similarly, IPL teams, always on the lookout for bowlers who can handle pressure across all phases, would find Sayan’s all-round bowling prowess a valuable asset.
A Dream Still Alive
Supported by his father, a government employee at KMC, and his homemaker mother, Sayan’s story resonates with anyone who’s dared to chase a dream against the odds. For 11 years, he’s fought through the grind of domestic cricket, faced setbacks, and tasted brief IPL stints, yet the big stage—whether it’s wearing India’s blue or shining in the IPL—remains just out of reach. As he gears up for the next season, Sayan Ghosh is a name to watch. With his Malinga-like action, lethal yorkers, and a heart full of grit, this Bengal pacer is ready to make his mark—on the IPL stage, for India, and beyond. “I’ve been through the lows,” he says with quiet confidence. “Now, I’m ready for the highs.”
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