Former captains wish Bengal luck

Kolkata: Ten former Bengal captains, including Sambaran Banerjee of the 1989-90 Ranji Trophy winning side, today came together and wished Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Co good luck ahead of their quarterfinal against Railways from January 8-12.

Bengal had to wait for 50 years to clinch their first Ranji title and Raju Mukherjee, now a Match Referee, hoped they would not have to wait so long again by becoming Ranji champions in 2013-14.

"We've generated tremendous momentum by winning back-to-back matches in home and away. It's simple -- they just have to hold the same mindset," Gopal Bose said.

Warning against complacency, Banerjee said Bengal would have to take it match by match.

"Railways may not have star players but they have effective ones needed for such occasions," Banerjee added.

Coach of the only Ranji Trophy winning side Palash Nandy too was present on the occasion as they jointly signed a bat to be presented to the Bengal side tomorrow on the eve of their match.

Urging people to come out in numbers and cheer for the team, the Cricket Association of Bengal announced they would distribute complimentary tickets on all the five days.