Ashok Dinda attacked while campaigning, sustains back injury

In a disturbing turn of events, former India fast bowler Ashok Dinda was attacked by miscreants in West Bengal’s East Midnapore on Tuesday (March 30). The former Bengal pace spearhead was campaigning for the ongoing assembly elections in the state when an unruly mob attacked him. Dinda is contesting the election from Moyna constituency as a candidate of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP).

Dinda is fighting against ruling party Trinamool Congress’ Sangram Kumar Dolai who has been a sitting legislator since 2016. Congress candidate Manik Bhowmik is also in the fray for the seat. In February this year, Dinda was inducted into the BJP, almost three weeks after he brought down curtains on his cricket career having played for Goa in his last domestic appearance.

And while Dinda would be hoping to make a winning start to his political career, the campaigning phase has not panned out as smoothly as he would have expected. One of Bengal’s most decorated cricketers, Dinda has reportedly sustained an injury on his back after the attack by the mob. According to media reports, the mob of around 50 people pelted stones on the car in which Dinda was traveling.  The 37-year old has accused TMC workers of carrying out the attack.

Ashok Dinda’s cricket career

Ashok Dinda announced his retirement from the game in February. He was one of the most consistent quick bowlers in Indian domestic cricket for the past one-and-a-half decade. The Bengal legend played 116 first-class matches, bagging 420 wickets at a bowling average of 28.28. He also played 98 List A games, bagging 151 wickets.

The right-handed pacer also represented India in international cricket. He made his international debut in 2009, in a T20I against Sri Lanka and made his ODI debut in the following year against Zimbabwe. He went on to play 13 ODIs and 9 T20Is, picking up a total of 29 wickets. Dinda’s last appearance for India came in 2013.

Dinda also plied his trade in the Indian Premier League (IPL) where he played for the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Pune Warriors, Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Rising Pune Supergiants. Overall, he picked up 69 wickets in 78 IPL games at an economy rate of 8.20.