The Indian cricketing community is in shock and mourning following the tragic death of former Tripura all-rounder Rajesh Banik. Banik, who also proudly represented India in the Under-19 World Cup, passed away at the age of 40 in a devastating road accident in Anandanagar, West Tripura, on Friday.
Rajesh Banik is survived by his father, mother, and brother. His untimely demise has cast a pall of gloom over the state’s cricket fraternity.
Subarata Dey, secretary of the Tripura Cricket Association (TCA), expressed profound sadness, stating, “This is very unfortunate that we have lost a talented cricketer and selector of the Under-16 cricket team. We are shocked. May his soul rest in peace.”
Born on December 12, 1984, in Agartala, Banik began his Ranji Trophy journey for Tripura during the 2002–03 season. A formidable right-hand batter and effective leg-break bowler, he played 42 first-class matches, accumulating 1,469 runs, including six half-centuries, with a highest score of 93, at an average of 19.32.
His impressive career also included 24 List A games, where he scored 378 runs, notably an unbeaten century (101*), and 18 T20 matches for the state. His last first-class appearance was against Odisha in Cuttack in November 2018.
After his playing career, Banik continued to contribute significantly to Tripura cricket, serving as a selector for the Under-16 team.
Anirban Deb, secretary of the Tripura Sports Journalists’ Club, highlighted Banik’s broader impact beyond his on-field statistics. “He was one of the finest all-rounders the state has produced, but not many knew about his ability to identify young talent. That’s why he was made one of the selectors of the Under-16 state team,” Deb remarked.
The Tripura Cricket Association held a tribute at its headquarters on Saturday, honoring Rajesh Banik as a dedicated player and mentor whose contributions profoundly shaped the state’s cricketing landscape.