Soumya Sarkar

Biography

Soumya Sarkar is a prominent Bangladeshi cricketer renowned for his aggressive left-handed batting and effective right-arm medium-fast bowling. Born on February 25, 1993, in Satkhira, Khulna, Bangladesh, Sarkar has been a vital asset to the national team since his debut in 2014.

Early Life and Domestic Career

Sarkar's cricketing journey commenced with his first-class debut for Khulna Division in the 2010–11 season. He gained international attention during the 2012 Under-19 World Cup, notably for 'Mankading' Australia's Jimmy Peirson.

In April 2019, playing for Abahani Limited in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, Sarkar scored an unbeaten 208 runs, marking the first double century in List A cricket by a Bangladeshi batsman.

International Career

Sarkar made his One Day International (ODI) debut against Zimbabwe on December 1, 2014. He debuted in Test cricket against Pakistan on April 28, 2015, and in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) against Pakistan on April 24, 2015.

In the 2015 Cricket World Cup, Sarkar equaled the record for the most catches in a single match (4). He was instrumental in Bangladesh's historic 100th Test match victory against Sri Lanka in 2017, contributing 61 runs and taking five catches.

In December 2023, Sarkar scored 169 runs against New Zealand, the highest individual ODI score by a Bangladeshi batsman away from home. By April 2024, he became the fastest Bangladeshi to reach 2,000 ODI runs, achieving the milestone in 64 innings.

Notable Achievements

Innovative Batting: Sarkar is credited with inventing the "Periscope" shot, showcasing his creative approach to batting.

T20 World Cup Record: He is the only batsman to hit two sixes in the first over of a T20 World Cup match. ​

List A Double Century: His unbeaten 208 in 2019 remains the highest individual score in Bangladesh's List A cricket history.

Career Statistics (as of January 2025)

Tests: 16 matches, 831 runs, average 27.70, 1 century, 4 fifties, highest score 149.

ODIs: 76 matches, 2,198 runs, average 32.80, 3 centuries, 13 fifties, highest score 169.

T20Is: 87 matches, 1,462 runs, average 17.82, 5 fifties, highest score 68.First-Class: 91 matches, 4,823 runs, average 32.58, 5 centuries, 31 fifties, highest score 150.

Domestic and Franchise Cricket

Sarkar has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket, representing teams like Khulna Division and Prime Bank Cricket Club. In the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), he has played for franchises including Rangpur Riders, Chittagong Vikings, and Fortune Barishal.

In November 2024, he was named in the Rangpur Riders squad for the inaugural Global Super League tournament. Sarkar emerged as the highest scorer of the tournament with 188 runs, including an unbeaten 86 in the final, earning him the Player of the Match award.

Personal Life

Soumya Sarkar was born into a Bengali Hindu family in Satkhira. On February 27, 2020, he married his long-time girlfriend, Priyonti Debnath Puja, in a ceremony held at Khulna Club.