We need to revive club cricket in Goa, says former captain Sagun Kamat

Panaji: The announcement came all of a sudden but Sagun Kamat knew this was the right time. Former captain, leader and Goa’s batting mainstay for several years now, Kamat decided to call it quits.
Kamat, 36, remains Goa’s youngest Ranji Trophy cricketer when he made his debut aged just 16 against Karnataka in 1999. He is also the only Goan to score a triple century. But it’s also true that he had failed to fire recently, scoring a duck and two single digit scores in five attempts during the Vijay Hazare Trophy last month.His best was 32 against Mumbai
“It just occurred to me that I don’t want to continue. I am going to take a hard-earned break, spend time with my 10-month son and then see what I need to do. I never thought of quitting in the middle of the season, but then it was time,” he told TOI.
Kamat was devastated with the disastrous campaign in the Ranji Trophy last season when Goa were relegated to Plate Division under his watch.
“As a captain, I couldn’t take it and owed up to my responsibility. Relegating to Plate Division was shocking. I never expected it. I wanted to get the team back in Group C. Now, playing in Plate would be right for youngsters to get the confidence,” he said.
Kamat was in form for three seasons between 2015 and 2018. He scored 600 plus runs in 2015-16 and 16-17, while the 17-18 season saw him amassing 876 runs. Last season, he was still a force to reckon with as he scored 476 runs. However, with Goa performing way below expectations, he relinquished captaincy.
Kamat says the triple century against Services and 160 against Kerala, chasing 400-plus score in the fourth innings at the Cricket Club of India in 2015, rank as his top two innings.
“It was tough to bat on a deteriorating pitch and I got that score. Also batting for two days against Services was something special,” he said.
Goa’s only triple centurion believes he has much more to offer to the state, post retirement. “I have played enough games for Goa. I can get BCCI assignment in future, maybe a coach, referee. There are lots of options,” he said.
Kamat is grateful to former GCA president Chetan Desai, Vinod Phadke and Suraj Lotlikar for playing a pivotal role in his career as they gave him the much-needed boost over the years.
“Domestic cricket is not easy. Ranji is a cut-throat business. Everyone tries their best to go one step ahead from Ranji and make it to the India team. Our players must get good exposure. They must go to other states and test themselves, mentally as well as physically.
“With that, you will start to handle pressure better. I played for DY Patil, Salgaocar and we travelled to various parts of India. Club cricket is on decline in Goa. We need to revive that,” said Kamat.