Soumik returns to make most of his chance

For most of the current domestic season, Services batsman Soumik Chatterjee’s tag of being a “talented” individual didn’t reflect on the scoresheet.

For most of the current domestic season, Services batsman Soumik Chatterjee’s tag of being a “talented” individual didn’t reflect on the scoresheet. Initially, that was due to an injury, and later, poor form. He sat out the first two matches — in which his team showed little resistance in losing — and wasn’t included in the team for the previous Ranji encounter against Madhya Pradesh.

On Friday, as Soumik notched up his second and perhaps his most relevant first-class century against Assam at the Palam ground, there were a few points made, irrespective of the match being inconsequential to both teams. “I wanted to play for pride, for self-respect,” was how the 20-year old described his unbeaten knock. Purely on merit and the conditions (Soumik came in at 2/1 and saw four of his partners walk back within 49 more runs), his unbeaten 107 would sit right atop his favourites, but the southpaw rates his 78 no against J&K in a Ranji one-dayer earlier this year way above.

“That was scored off a lesser number of balls (52). I remember one of the flat sixes landing up there,” said Soumik, pointing towards the extra-cover fence.

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His knack of hitting sixes had also left an impression on Imran Khan, skipper of the Air Force team. “He’s an excellent player to watch. He’s a shaky starter, but has a lot of patience in the middle,” said Khan.

Soumik failed to amaze his Air Force team skipper on Friday, but his strike rate of 42.64 and the nine boundaries vindicated Khan’s observation. The innings came after a spate of failures last season, a reason Services coach RS Jhala cited to explain why he wasn’t picked as a first choice this year. But then, two half-centuries, a 45 and a 48 in the Ranji one-dayers always kept him in the hunt.

In the inter-services tourney, the left-hander played a pivotal role in taking Air Force all the way with two half-centuries in the semi-final and the final against Army and Navy, respectively. His unbeaten 58 against Army came after Air Force were four-down for 20 and his 56 in the final after they had lost three wickets for 60-odd.

Plans for Saturday are short-term, and a little individualistic. “My average has dropped drastically, tomorrow I have to take care of that by remaining unbeaten. I’m looking to take the team total to at least 250. That’s the first target,” Soumik added.

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Services are 38 runs away from what could be a milestone in the light of their performance this season — this is only the first time in five matches that they have crossed the 200-mark in their first innings.