Shillong, May 16: Sanvert B Kurkalang, a feisty all-rounder, has retired from domestic BCCI cricket, recalling the honour of representing the state and Meghalaya Cricket Association on “the best platform possible”.
Kurkalang, a medium-fast bowler and right-handed batter, had been on the radar of the MCA selectors for several years before making his senior state team debut in November 2022 in a List A (one day) match against Delhi in Kolkata in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
The 31-year-old played for Meghalaya in three Ranji Trophy first-class matches, four Vijay Hazare Trophy matches and three Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 matches. He took his best Ranji figures this year – 3/19 against Arunachal Pradesh in January.
Kurkalang’s best List A figures were 2/48 against mighty Maharashtra in November last year.
He played his local cricket for Langsning CC in the Shillong league for several years before switching to Rangkynsai CC for the 2023-24 season.
In a letter to the MCA announcing his intention to retire, Kurkalang thanked the association “for providing me with the opportunity to represent the state and the association on the best platform possible,” adding that it has been an honour that he will always be grateful for.
He added that he is of the opinion that younger players deserve their chance now to do “wonders for the state and the association as a whole”. However, he maintained that he would still be available to serve Meghalaya through coaching or as a manager for state teams, thus utilising the benefit of his experience.
The news resulted in many of his old team mates wishing him the best for the future. MCA President Nababrata Bhattacharjee said, “A positive, hard working and disciplined cricketer like Sanvert has to keep himself associated with the game in the interest of cricket in our state. He studies the game well and has the potential to become a good coach.”
(Meghalaya Cricket Association file photo)
