Pritam Das. Picture by Eastern Projections

Hailakandi, Nov. 6: He may not be as fast as the Rawalpindi Express, but the Cachar Express is speedily building a reputation as a strike bowler. Alas, he is no longer bowling for Assam.

Nicknamed so for his ability to consistently bowl fast, Pritam Das is enjoying his spell with the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and has described his joining the rebel league as the turning point in his career. After a 16-day camp in Chennai from October 10 to 25, the teenager received an overwhelming welcome on his homecoming.

It was his first trip home since leaving for Chennai over three months ago to play in the Minteck Buchi Babu Tournament for Assam, from where he joined the ranks of the ICL.

Coming from a middle class family based at Gossaipara in Silchar town, Das has not had it easy. His father, Laru Gopal Das, is a trader and mother Archana a homemaker.

Talking to The Telegraph, Das said he had attained a new level of confidence “with the kind of professionalism that I have experienced at the ICL”.

“We are treated like professionals here. I have gained a new level of confidence. The coaching system and techniques are very different from what we have been used to so far. It is an experience that helps even a greenhorn develop the confidence of a true professional,” the Cachar Express said. “I’ve learnt a lot at the camp. The coaching schedule started from 7am to 9am and from 10.30am to 12 noon everyday. In the afternoon and evening, we received fielding lessons from Rajesh Kamath.’

He said it was a dream come true for him to learn from former first-class cricketers like Hemang Badani, Deep Dasgupta, Dinesh Mongia and Reetinder Singh Sodhi. “Besides, we are also getting tips from several international cricketers,” he added.

Although he is aware of the fact that having joined the ICL he will not be given a chance to be part of the Indian national teams or play in any tournament sponsored by the BCCI or that he will also not be allowed to practice in BCCI-recognised grounds, Das does not regret his move.

In the ICL camp at Mayajaal on the outskirts of Chennai, Balbinder Singh Sandhu conducted the bowling sessions and Sandeep Patil supervised the batting. Former Australian player Dean Jones was also there for a day. Kapil Dev, who was there to provide some tips to the cricketers, stressed on performance, Das said.

The ICL has six teams. Das is in the Kolkata Tigers squad, raised under the tutelage of former South African player Daryl Cullinan. The teams comprise three internationals each as well as players from different parts of the country. The league will start on November 30.

The coaches of the other teams are Sandeep Patil, Gary Kirsten, Madan Lal, Dean Jones and Barry Richards.

Das said the ICL players could play county cricket in England in April-May next year, but he has yet to decide whether to make the plunge.