Left Railways job to play for Bengal, says Majumdar

Bengal's saviour in Ranji Trophy quarterfinal and semifinal, Anustup Majumdar had left a secured Indian Railways job to play cricket for his home state, and says he is t short of motivation at 35. Despite t playing all matches this season, batsman has been instrumental in Bengal's march into semifinals.

On Saturday, he scored an unbeaten 120, his second century on trot, to lift Bengal to 275 for nine from a precarious 67 for six in ir semifinal against a star-studded Karnataka. "You never kw what is in store for you tomorrow. I left my job to play cricket. I never thought of quitting cricket," Majumdar said after his kck.

Majumdar left Railways in 2016 following a string of inconsistent outings for his employers.

In ongoing season, Majumdar scored two half-centuries -- 99 and 59 -- in crunch games against Delhi and Hyderabad. "Cricket is a game of uncertainty. It takes one ball to get you out. I just kept working hard, kept motivating myself. re was or motivation. Maybe I've matured w and sense of grief and frustration have lessened," team's senior-most member said.

Majumdar stitched two fruitful partnership lower down order, adding 72 runs with Shahbaz Ahmed, which was followed by an entertaining 103-stand with Akash Deep (44). He gave credit to Shahbaz for his support.

"When I was inside dressing room, I was making a plan for each bowler and assessing ir line and lengths. It helped, but real success came after Shahbaz came in.  match opened up after he came to bat. He struck some exquisite boundaries against good balls and my game also became easy. His innings gave me confidence that even I could play my shots. We started playing attacking game. It became turning point for us."

He hailed speedster Akash Deep who smashed three sixes and three boundaries off spinner K Gowtham. "Akash changed complexion of match with his attacking innings, something that would have taken Karnataka by surprise. "y would have never thought we would put toger a century-plus stand for ninth wicket. He played fearless cricket. If our bowlers do well, this would be turning point," Majumdar said.

Karnataka pace spearhead Abhimany Mithun defended ir strategy to play only four bowlers, as KL Rahul was included at expense of left-arm orthodox spinner J Suchith. "Coach wanted to play an extra batsman. If tomorrow we can bat well and take a lead, we can take it from re," Mithun said.

"After lunch wicket got better. We tried our best. But still re are four days left. If we can get a good lead we will have a chance to bowl m out.