Argha Bhattacharya
Bhubaneswar, June 14: One of main architects who prevented Orissa from getting relegated to Group C in this Ranji Trophy
season, Deepak Behera, got his due worth when he was honoured with the ‘Cricketer of the Year Award’ by Saheed Sporting Club here Sunday.
Deepak took 33 wickets in the 2014-15 season but still didn’t find a place in either the India A side or the Rest of India team for the Irani Trophy. “Many players who didn’t do as well as I did, got chances. But these things aren’t in my hand, I will try to do my best next season, to come into the national reckoning again,” said Deepak.
The all-rounder ranked the Haryana game as his best this
season where he led with the ball to seal Orissa’s victory. “The Haryana match in Rohtak was very crucial for us and I gotimmense pleasure after taking four wickets in two consecutive overs (second innings) which tilted the match in our favour,” Deepak stated.
He also rated the Saurashtra game as ‘very important’ where he helped the team to a two-wicket win with the bat. “I consider
myself as an all-rounder and to be able to contribute with the bat when the team needed it the most was really special,” pointed out Deepak.
Deepak also stated that the award would certainly motivate him to do well in future. “These awards motivate a player to take his
performance to the next level. I will also try to build on my
achievements,” he asserted.