There is a saying in Bengal: “One person, many forms.” Few embody this idea as strongly as Mamata Banerjee. Widely known as a fearless political leader, she is also a poet, painter, composer and singer. But there is yet another side to her that many have never heard of — Mamata Banerjee as a cricketer.
Yes, the Mamata Banerjee cricketer story is not folklore, but fact. The revelation came during a felicitation ceremony organised by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for Bengal’s World Cup–winning cricketer Richa Ghosh. Held on Saturday, the event was attended by Mamata Banerjee herself as the chief guest. Bengal is familiar with her passion for sports, but her history on the 22-yard pitch is something few knew.
During the ceremony, senior sports journalist Gautam Bhattacharya shared an anecdote: Mamata Banerjee had once participated in a Members of Parliament cricket match in the 1990s. Not only did she play, but she was declared ‘Player of the Match’. The match featured MPs from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, competing in a mixed-team format. Mamata Banerjee, then a Lok Sabha MP, was part of the team captained by former Union Minister P. R. Kumaramangalam. The Lok Sabha team went on to defeat the Rajya Sabha side, and Mamata Banerjee emerged as the standout performer.
This lesser-known chapter makes the Mamata Banerjee cricketer identity even more compelling. Her involvement in sports is not limited to ceremonial appearances or political patronage. Over the years, she has actively supported Bengal’s sporting ecosystem. East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, and Mohammedan Sporting — the state’s iconic football clubs — have all received her backing. She has also participated in badminton and tennis events in earlier years. Yet, the anecdote of her performing brilliantly in a competitive cricket match remained largely unspoken until now.
The felicitation event then shifted focus to Richa Ghosh, who has become a source of pride for Bengal after India’s World Cup victory. Mamata Banerjee awarded Richa the state’s highest civilian honour, ‘Banga Bhushan’, and also handed her the appointment letter for the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) in West Bengal Police. A moment that was emotional, symbolic and powerful — the state recognizing its sporting icons at the highest level.
For Richa, this recognition marks a defining milestone in her journey from Siliguri’s local nets to the world stage. For Bengal, it is yet another reminder of the talent the state continues to produce across fields.
But the event also served another purpose — it restored attention to the Mamata Banerjee cricketer narrative. In a world where political personas often overshadow the human being behind them, this story reveals her as a person of multiple identities, grounded and dynamic. It underscores her deep-rooted connection to sports — not just as a supporter but as an active participant.
The rediscovery of this chapter also comes at a symbolic moment: women’s cricket in India is experiencing a cultural shift. The emergence of stars like Richa Ghosh represents a generation that is fearless, confident and ambitious. And the image of Mamata Banerjee — a woman who once walked confidently onto a cricket field among male colleagues and won — adds another layer to that narrative.
Mamata Banerjee cricketer — the phrase itself has now taken on a new meaning. It is not just a historical detail but a testament to the many lives she has lived, and continues to live, with unwavering determination.
