Twenty-three and still counting8230;

Repeatedly ignored by world cricket8217;s highest stage because appeasement wasn8217;t in his armoury and all his life refusing to play ball with a fickle media that only chose to pamper the more presentable and demonstrative Souravs and Leanders, cricketer-turned-coach Chatterjee is facing the challenge of his life 8212; a challenge most typical of a man who never yearned for recognition despite years of jaw-dropping performances; a challenge which most others in contention dared not take up simply because it will fetch only brickbats, no kudos, and there8217;s very little to make in terms of money.

Today, Bengal cricket is down in the dumps 8212; its senior team was sent hurling out of the prestigious national Ranji Trophy elite circuit last season. This is the worst phase ever for Bengal cricket. The scenario is so bleak that even Kolkata8217;s darling Sourav Ganguly doesn8217;t have the confidence to put his hand up and lead a resurrection.

But Davidda, as the 44-year-old Chatterjee is popularly known in the Maidan, doesn8217;t mind sticking his neck out 8212; expectedly, the most likely man to volunteer to clear away the filth and restore Bengal cricket to its place of pride knowing fully well that it8217;s a frustratingly thankless job.

8220;Bengal cricket has given me so much. I made my bones in the Maidan. After all these years and the loads of experience, I thought I should reciprocate,8221; says the humble man oozing confidence over a challenge laden with pitfalls.

8220;I have taken up this new challenge, yes, and I won8217;t compromise on the effort that I will put in. Just no compromise, that8217;s my style of going about my job, and I believe this team should get the same message.8221;

Words typical of a hard taskmaster, and why not. One look at his career graph will tell you what Chatterjee means by a no-nonsense approach. Having made his first-class debut way back in 1985, the wiry and ever-so-unassuming left-arm spinner was almost like a machine, becoming one of the biggest bowlers in India8217;s domestic circuit with his mind-blowing 504-wicket career haul.

Add to that Chatterjee8217;s powerful contribution in Bengal8217;s famous Ranji Trophy victory in 1990, and you will be left puzzled why such a big-time achiever did not get to take-off at the international level. He did make it to the Indian team in the early 90s but was unceremoniously discarded despite undeniable, sound performances in the few chances that came his way. Why? Simply because the Kolkata-born player didn8217;t have enough backing in the power corridors of cricket administration offices. And, of course, in an era in which exhibitionism is a pre-requisite for sports personalities to get the nod of approval, the shy and reticent Chatterjee just didn8217;t fit the bill to jump on the showbiz bandwagon.

8220;I am a man of few words,8221; he says, with a matter-of-factness. 8220;I believe in speaking where it matters most, not outside it. This Bengal team knows me well. They have known me for years. So, they know my nature. I believe we communicate with each other well because of the years of association. And my only message to them is: this team doesn8217;t belong to this relegated status. That should be inspiration enough for them to come back hard in the coming season.8221;

So, if this Bengal team miraculously happens to fight back and get back to where it belonged, don8217;t be surprised if you find the team8217;s coach sitting away quietly in one snug little corner 8212; far away from the glare of flashbulbs and celebrations, melting away into the backburner like he has always done after a magical effort.