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Sidelined by Bengal, Dinda looks for fresh start

By The Assam Tribune

KOLKATA, June 21: Veteran pacer Ashok Dinda calls himself a victim of politics after Bengal dropped him on disciplinary grounds midway into the Ranji Trophy last year but says he would return stronger with a new team this season.

Bengal�s second highest wicket-taker after Utpal Chatterjee, Dinda was ousted following an ugly spat with bowling coach Ranadeb Bose. Putting the controversy behind, Bengal moved on and went on to finish runners-up in Ranji Trophy for the first time in 13 years.

In a candid chat with PTI, Dinda said he�s already in talks with a few teams and would soon apply for an NOC from Cricket Association of Bengal.

�I will not be part of Bengal any more, that�s for sure. It was a decision I had taken last season only. It�s my personal matter,� Dinda, who has 420 wickets from 116 first class matches, said.

�You have seen what (actor) Sushant Singh Rajput had to go through... Sob jagay eki jinish � (favouritism, politics are everywhere). But I�m mentally strong and nobody can break me.

�I will play for some other state. I�ve got a few offers and discussions are on. But I�m yet to finalise which state I�m going to represent next season,� said Dinda, who represented India in 13 ODIs and nine T20Is.

Dinda was accused of publicly abusing Bengal bowling coach Bose, a former Bengal medium pacer with 317 first-class wickets in 91 matches.

Dinda refused to tender an apology and he was also accused of creating a rift within the team.

�I�m not happy playing here with this group of coaching staff. The way I was treated, I�ve nothing to say. I�ve done the job for them and now I�m of no use. It�s a selfish world,� he said.

After being sidelined, Dinda was spotted at Eden Gardens rooting for Bengal�s Ishan Porel, who formed a potent pace attack alongside Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar

�I�ll definitely miss the home state, 100 per cent, having played for so many years. I also missed them last year. But I�m in good terms with my former team-mates... (CAB president) Avishek is very friendly and good-hearted.

�At times, I also speak to Dada (Sourav Ganguly),� Dinda signed off. � PTI

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