Rajesh Banik, a former domestic cricketer from Tripura, tragically passed away in 2025. He was renowned for his contributions as a player and later as a selector.
Born on December 12, 1984, in Agartala, Rajesh Banik was celebrated for his unwavering dedication to cricket, first as an athlete and subsequently as a mentor and selector. His life was cut short by a fatal road accident on October 31, 2025, in Anandanagar, West Tripura, sending shockwaves through the Indian domestic cricket community. Early in his career, he gained recognition when he represented India’s Under-15 team in 2000 alongside notable future stars like Irfan Pathan and Ambati Rayudu. That year, he participated in the ACC Under-15 Trophy held in Kuala Lumpur and also undertook a tour of England. His first-class cricket debut took place during the 2001–02 Ranji Trophy season, representing Tripura. Over his career, he played 42 first-class matches, accumulating 1,469 runs at an average of 19.32, including six half-centuries and a top score of 93. His last first-class appearance was against Odisha in Cuttack in November 2018. Following his retirement from professional play, Banik remained closely involved in the sport by serving as a selector for Tripura’s Under-16 team, where he worked directly with emerging talents. His sudden demise has created a profound void within the Tripura cricket community. The Tripura Cricket Association (TCA) offered sincere tributes, honoring him as one of the state’s most skilled all-rounders with a remarkable eye for nurturing young talent. Rajesh Dhrubalal Banik, a gifted Indian cricketer from Agartala, Tripura, played domestic cricket for his home state. Born on December 12, 1984, he was a right-handed batsman and an occasional right-arm leg-break bowler. He made his first-class debut during the 2001–02 season for Tripura. Tragically, Banik died at age 40 in a road accident on October 31, 2025. Rajesh Banik was a gifted Indian cricketer from Agartala who competed for Tripura in domestic cricket matches. All images included are for editorial use only and are licensed exclusively through Getty/Source.