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I left my job for cricket, never thought of quitting: Anustup
29th February 2020
The man who curved smiles on frowning faces in the Bengal dressing room insisted that it is the love for the game that drives him at the age of 35 and there's no need for any other motivation.
Anustup Majumder rescued Bengal from 67/6 with a career defining 120 not out on the first day of high-voltage Ranji Trophy semifinal match as Abhimanyu Easwaran and men ended the day on 275/9.
The experienced Bengal batsman who once left secured Railways job for the love of cricket said: "I have left my job for the game, never thought of quitting cricket. You never know what is in store for you tomorrow."
"Cricket is the most uncertain game I think, especially for a batsman it's an one-ball game. I practiced and focused to play every delivery well. Handling emotions better have helped me too," he added.
Youngsters Shabaz Ahamad (35) and Akash Deep (44) also played crucial knocks along with Anustup to carry Bengal after top order failure.
Anustup praised Akash's blistering knock by saying: "Akash Deep's innings changed the whole scenario of the match. They didn't expect that we will add 100-plus runs off the seventh wicket. They kept fielders close and Akash took that chance to play big shots. He played with a lot of courage."
"Shahbaz is an attacking batsman and he played his natural game," he added about Shahbaz.
About how he will rate his innings he said: "I will rate this as one of my best innings. Earlier there was help for the bowlers. If we could've survived that the score would've been higher."
He hasn't featured in all the matches for Bengal this season but Anustup believed in himself and insisted that he knew that he will get his chance and was determined to make that count.
When asked about what he thinks about th situation of the game Anustup said: "Team was struggling at 66/5 and we have recovered thanks to partnerships with lower order. If we can add more runs tomorrow and take some early wickets we will put more pressure on them. Our top order have to take more responsibility. If our bowlers perform well hopefully we will win this match.
"I was a bit cautious in my 90s because we were 8 wickets down and I was trying to face as many balls as possible. I am very happy that I did well in a big match like this and was able to help my team," he added.
The match will go on for more four days and the five thousand people who came to Eden Gardens today will remember this match for the fight that Anustup put up against a quality Karnataka bowling attack.
CAB MEDIA DESK
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