Former India cricketer Ashok Dinda to be provided with Y+ security after being attacked by a mob

Right-arm quick Ashok Dinda had announced his retirement from all formats of the gentleman’s game on February 2, 2021. Within a few weeks after his retirement, Dinda decided to start the second innings of his career by joining politics by contesting for Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) in the upcoming West Bengal State election.

Dinda is contesting the election from the Moyna constituency as a candidate of BJP and will be locking horns against Sangram Kumar Dolai who forms part of the ruling party Trinamool Congress and had won the elections in 2016. Apart from the two aforementioned candidates, Congress’ Manik Bhownik is also in the race from the same constituency.

However, Dinda had a forgettable start to his political career as he was attacked by a mob of around 50 people in West Bengal’s East Midnapore on Tuesday (March 30). Ashok has reportedly sustained an injury on his back as the mob pelted stones on the car in which he was traveling. The 37-year old has accused TMC workers of carrying out the attack.

After a life-threatening incident, it is learned that the celebrated cricketer in domestic cricket will be provided with Y+ security by CRPF. Under the Y+ security, a CRPF commander and four constables will be stationed at a protectee’s residence. At least two personal security officers (PSOs) will be deployed in shift-basis round the clock.

A glance at Ashok Dinda’s cricket career

Ashok Dinda boasts of having stunning numbers to his name while playing in Bengal’s domestic circuit. However, the pacer failed to replicate the same performance in the international circuit or in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The seamer fetched the limelight during IPL but for all the wrong reasons as he was constantly subjected to hate and troll for his poor performance.

Coming to the domestic circuit, Dinda was Bengal’s second most successful bowler after Utpal Chatterjee, with 420 first-class wickets in just 116 fixtures. The pacer also boasts of having 151 and 146 scalps in 98 List-A games and 144 T20s, respectively. Dinda featured in 13 One Day Internationals and 9 T20Is for India scalping 12 and 17 wickets respectively at an economy of 6.18 and 8.16 respectively. 

The right-hander played 78 IPL matches across 10 editions and picked up 68 wickets at an economy rate of 8.20.