Deep Dasgupta - India - Batsman

Deep Dasgupta was a wicket-keeper batsman who represented India in 8 Tests and 5 ODIs. Dasgupta averaged 28.67 in Tests and has a century and two fifties to his name. He played a lot of his junior cricket in Delhi and went on to represent the capital state in their Under 16 team. For his senior cricket, he shifted to his home state of Bengal. He made his mark as a specialist opener, hitting a century on his Ranji debut against Baroda in 1998-99. However, he had to wait for Saba Karim to retire to cement a permanent place in the side.

In the 2000-01, Dasgupta impressed the national selectors after he bagged 13 dismissals in three first-class games. At the same time, he averaged 38 with the bat, scoring 190 runs. Following Samir Dighe's disappointing show in the series against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, Dasgupta was called to represent India in ODIs. However, his stint in the 50-over format was abysmal. He could only manage 51 runs in 5 ODIs, averaging 17 with a highest score of 24. Following an injury to Dighe, Dasgupta got his chance in Tests as well. He showed good temperament and grit during his second test, helping India salvage a draw against South Africa at Port Elizabeth. In his next match, he hit his maiden ton and helped India beat England by 10 wickets. But, his joy was short-lived as he only went on to play 5 more tests.

In 2006, he took over the state team's captaincy from Sourav Ganguly, after Ganguly decided to step down. In 2007, Dasgupta surprised everyone by joining the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL), where he played for the Royal Bengal Tigers. Dasgupta, however, broke ties with the ICL and was pardoned by the BCCI in 2009. He went on to play a few more first class matches for Bengal.

Currently, Deep Dasgupta works as a television expert.

By Sidhant Maheshwari