Debasis Mohanty’s cricket career in international cricket was not very long, but due to his unique bowling action, he was always in the news. Today is the birthday of this right-handed medium-pace bowler who took birth on 20 July 1976, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and achieved things that many only dreams of.
Mohanty, who is celebrating his 46th birthday today, made his international debut in Test cricket at the age of 21 against Sri Lanka in 1997. After this, he soon got a place in the ODI team as well. He made his ODI debut against Pakistan in Toronto. Mohanty’s first Test wicket was Sanath Jayasuriya, then in ODIs, he made his first victim Saeed Anwar.
The most memorable event of Mohanty’s career is when the World Cup was played in England in 1999. The logo that was used by the organizers for this tournament, Mohanty’s bowling action was given a place in it.
The fast bowler got a place in the logo of the World Cup, but for this tournament, he did not see a place in the Indian team because his performance in 1998 was not special. But keeping in mind the conditions of England, the selectors suddenly gave him a place in the World Cup team. He took 10 wickets in this tournament.
Mohanty, who started his Test career with Colombo Test in the year 1997, played his second Test against Sri Lanka at Mohali ground after about two months in the same year (in 1997 itself). Unfortunately, this match proved to be the last match of his Test career. After these two Tests, the Odisha medium pacer never got a chance in Tests again. He took 4 wickets in his Test life.
Mohanty who played 45 ODIs, played international cricket in this format for almost 4 years.
During this, he took a total of 57 wickets in his name.
He became the coach for Colwyn Bay Cricket Club in Wales in 2006. He works for NALCO in Bhubaneswar. Since 2011, he served as the Odisha Ranji team’s coach for 7 years. He made history when he coached He took over for the previous coach, Michael Bevan. East Zone to win their first Duleep Trophy. As of today, he is a member of the BCCI Selection Committee and looks after Team India’s selection.
We wish the unique bowler a very Happy Birthday and wish for his long and successful life ahead!
