Krishna Das. Picture by UB Photos

The 16-year-old lanky, dark-complexioned boy, who was an under-17 state team probable, was used as a “proxy” bowler during the Ranji trials for the Assam team last year. The same boy, however, turned out to be the best seamer from the state during the last season, thanks to the risk-taking initiative of coach Sanath Kumar K who insisted that the youngster should fill in a paceman’s slot vacated by injury to the seasoned Zaved Zaman.

When he was named in the Ranji squad, a section of the cricket circles in the state was worried about his future because his inexperience, subjected to a possible onslaught of the seasoned seniors from other states, could have brought a premature end to his career. Krishna Das, however, did not falter under any circumstances, playing Kerala for the first time in Dibrugarh. He notched four wickets from an innings in the debut itself and since then there was no looking back.

A footballer, who represented Barpeta Higher Secondary School in the Deokon Trophy tournament five years back, Das started playing cricket three years ago under the tutelage of Javed Akhtar Khan, who has been aspiring to play for Assam in the Ranji Trophy for the past five years. Das represented Barpeta district in the Amarjit Sarma Trophy under-15 inter-district tournament the same year itself. The next two years he represented the district in the under-15 and under-17 inter-districts tournaments.

In an exclusive tete-a-tete with The Telegraph, Barpeta lad Das, who has become the first ever Ranji player from Lower Assam and had an outstanding season, having scalped 10 wickets from four four-dayers and one in the single one-dayer he was fielded, was all praise for his seniors for their support and cooperation.

Excerpts:

On his Ranji debut at a tender age

Das: It was a great debut. Age is definitely not a factor. It is the confidence and will-power to do something that makes a difference. Besides, my seniors were also very co-operative and supportive.

On his performance in the debut season

Das: It was successful but not satisfactory because I need to improve on a lot of aspects for which I have to work as hard as possible. I’ll also have to concentrate a bit on batting.

On his professional venture into cricket

Das: I took up cricket three years ago under the tutelage of Javed (Akhtar Khan) Sir. He is so inspiring that he can bring the best out of anyone. It’s because of him that Barpeta is producing good pacemen for the past couple of years.

On coaching in Assam

Das: Almost all our coaches are praiseworthy. They give a lot of effort and are producing some good cricketers technically. However, we players are mentally not on a par with our counterparts from other states. From my little experience in playing outside the state, I have gathered that our counterparts there are mentally very tough. They have the instinct to clinch victory in a losing match. At times, we lack the fighting spirit due to a lack of exposure and opportunities for match participation here. Playing matches helps to a great extent in developing the temperament of a player.

On his ideal cricketer in the state

Das: That was the question Sanath Sir also asked me the first day he saw me bowling. It is always Abu Naschim Ahmed. I was the happiest guy the day Abu bowled his first delivery in the Under-19 World Cup in Colombo. I’ll continue in his footsteps.

On the vision of his cricketing career

Das: The same as thousands of other cricketers in the country I want to play for the country. I would like to play like the way (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni and (Irfan) Pathan play today.

On the ACA’s proposal to train him along with Abu N. Ahmed and Bikram Chetry outside the state

Das: Whatever the ACA does, it will definitely be for our welfare. So I will always go by its decision.

On the sports department’s proposal to set up a pace academy in Guwahati

Das: A great initiative! We would be thankful if it materialises. Our state has abundant talent and it will be a platform for grooming the latent talent.

On cricket infrastructure in Assam compared to other states

Das: We have it but need little bit of improvement. The wickets are flat here. It helps me because after putting a lot of effort here during practice, I find it easier to play on grassy wickets outside. The grassy wicket in Dibrugarh is the best in Assam. The exposure to different types of wickets is also necessary which we lack in our state.

Imtiaz Ahmed