Soumya Sarkar

Soumya Sarkar is a stylish left-handed top-order batter known for his aggressive stroke play and all-round abilities. Since his emergence in Bangladesh cricket, he has delivered several memorable performances across formats.

He was a part of Bangladesh’s Under-19 World Cup squads in 2010 and 2012. He made headlines during the 2012 edition when he controversially dismissed Australia’s Jimmy Peirson via ‘Mankading’. He made his first-class debut for Khulna Division during the 2010–11 season, showcasing his potential early on.

In April 2019, he smashed 208 for Abahani Limited against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, becoming the first Bangladeshi batter to score a List A double-century. His innings included 16 sixes, setting a new record in List A cricket in Bangladesh.

His BPL journey has seen him play for multiple franchises, including Rajshahi Kings, Cumilla Warriors, and Gazi Group Chattogram. He played for Fortune Barishal in the 2024 edition of the tournament. He was also part of Rangpur Riders in the Global Super League in 2024, where he won the Player of the Match award in the final after scoring 86 against Victoria and finishing as the tournament’s highest scorer with 188 runs.

Sarkar was first named in Bangladesh’s T20 squad for a one-off match against New Zealand in 2013, but he didn’t get to play. He made his ODI debut on December 1, 2014, against Zimbabwe and soon established himself as a key player. He was part of Bangladesh’s 2015 Cricket World Cup squad, where he made a crucial impact in the field, equaling the record for most catches in a single World Cup match taking 4 of them. He later represented Bangladesh in the 2019 and 2022 T20 World Cups. He was also part of Bangladesh’s squad for the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup.

His ODI career saw several milestone performances. He scored his maiden ODI century against Pakistan in April 2015, forming a 145-run partnership with Tamim Iqbal. In December 2023, he smashed 169 runs in an ODI against New Zealand, setting the record for the highest individual score by a Bangladeshi batter away from home and the highest ODI score by an Asian batter in New Zealand. On April 15, 2024, during an ODI against Sri Lanka, he became the fastest Bangladeshi to reach 2,000 ODI runs, achieving the feat in 64 innings.

In Tests, Sarkar made his debut against Pakistan in April 2015. He played in Bangladesh’s historic 100th Test match victory over Sri Lanka, scoring 61 in the first innings and setting the record for most catches by a Bangladeshi in a single Test with five. He scored his maiden Test century against New Zealand at Seddon Park in 2019, equaling Tamim Iqbal’s record of a century in 94 balls.

His T20I performances have been equally impressive. He scored his first T20I fifty against Zimbabwe in 2020. In July 2021, he became the fifth Bangladeshi to reach 1,000 T20I runs. He won Player of the Series against Zimbabwe in 2021 for scoring 126 runs at an average of 42 and picking up 3 wickets.

Soumya Sarkar remains a key figure in Bangladesh’s top order, known for his ability to adapt across formats. His aggressive batting, fielding excellence, and useful bowling make him an impact player. With several records and match-winning performances to his name, he continues to be a vital part of Bangladesh cricket’s future.