Debjit Lahiri - Man who cherishes "Forgotten Cricket Memories"

Debjit Lahiri isn’t just a storyteller—he’s a curator of cricket’s emotional memory. Through his widely followed non-monetized platform Forgotten Cricket Memories, Debjit has built a niche archive of untold stories, forgotten matches, and overlooked heroes that rarely make it to the mainstream. What began as a passion project has now become a growing movement—blending historical research, emotional narratives, and digital storytelling to rekindle the soul of cricket’s past. In this exclusive conversation, he opens up about the journey, the inspiration behind his work, and why preserving cricket’s lesser-known tales is more important now than ever

Section 1: The Genesis

1. What inspired you to start an Instagram page dedicated to forgotten cricket memories?

I’ve always believed that cricket is more than statistics—it’s a vast cultural archive of emotions, identities, and stories that often slip through the cracks. Forgotten Cricket Memories began as a tribute to those overlooked moments—where the emotion of a match outlived the outcome. It was my way of archiving cricket’s unspoken history and making it accessible to new generations on platforms they use daily.

Beyond what mainstream media feeds to newer audiences, it’s important for a completely non-monetized platform to exist—one that gives them a sneak peek into cricket’s rich legacy. Whether it’s a nostalgic memory or an unexpected trivia nugget, each story builds awareness and deepens interest in the beautiful game.

2. Was there a particular match, player, or moment that triggered your passion for cricket nostalgia?

I’ve always been interested in writing about sports. I began writing on Indian and European football back in 2011 and always gravitated toward opinion pieces and long-form features, rather than just match reports.

But growing up in the 90s, cricket remained a constant companion. In 2020, I casually posted a memory about a Zimbabwean cricketer who played a crucial knock against India in 2002. I was surprised by the response—many related to it emotionally, while others discovered something entirely new.

That post sparked the idea of creating a structured archive of forgotten cricket stories—delivered in a way that resonates with the Instagram generation.

3. How did you decide on the tone and style of storytelling for your content?

I wanted the stories to read like memories, not match reports. The tone is emotional and immersive—with long, flowing sentences and carefully chosen visuals—so that even those unfamiliar with cricket history can feel drawn into the moment. It’s storytelling rooted in archival integrity but told in the language of Instagram.

Section 2: The Stories Behind the Stories

4. How do you discover these lesser-known cricket moments?

It’s part intuition, part obsession. I read across decades of cricket writing—books, out-of-print magazines, Cricinfo archives, Wisden editions, fan forums, even memoirs. I also receive leads from followers and historians alike. My approach blends primary research with digital ethnography, trying to uncover not just facts, but forgotten feelings.

5. Are there any memories or stories that even surprised you while researching?

Many—but the Matthew Hayden-Gary Neville club match in Lancashire stunned me. The future Australian opener batting with a future Manchester United legend? It highlighted how interconnected the sporting world can be, and how much of cricket’s story lies outside the international arena.

Another surprising story was about Roy Lindsay Park, an Australian cricketer in the years before World War I. He was set to debut, but the war delayed everything. After serving bravely, he finally made his Test debut—much older now—but was bowled first ball. Ironically, his wife, who was present at the ground, missed it entirely because she had bent down to pick up her knitting. That single ball turned out to be his entire international career. It was tragic, bittersweet, and a reminder of how fine the margins are in cricket.

6. Which cricketer or match do you think deserves far more recognition than it currently gets?

Well, there are many such cricketers. I would perhaps tell you about matches. I think some of India’s memorable wins in triangular series matches in the 90s and early 2000s deserve a lot more recognition. We do not have those triangular series these days—so the newer generation probably doesn’t value them as much. But it was something to look forward to for our generation. The Sharjah triangular, VB Series, Independence Cups, Hero Cup, and many such tournaments which used to happen during that era.

I remember a time when two Indian teams were fielded together in the Sahara Cup and the Commonwealth Games, which was a unique event back in 1998.

Another less talked about match is India’s semi-final win against a very strong South Africa team in the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy.

Section 3: Engagement & Audience

7. What kind of reactions do you receive from your followers—especially cricketers or cricket historians?

Cricketers have appreciated and engaged with several of my stories. One of my earliest interactions came from former Indian allrounder Vijay Bharadwaj, who left a comment on a post about him—back when the page had barely 100 followers. Nick Compton, the former England international, appreciated a tribute I wrote to his legendary grandfather Denis Compton.

Today, the blog is followed and engaged with by multiple former cricketers, coaches, and cricket media professionals. I also regularly interact with members of the cricketing community in the USA. Since moving here seven months ago, I’ve aimed to spotlight grassroots cricket stories in the US—especially as the country prepares to host cricket at the 2028 LA Olympics after 125 years.

Other content creators and cricket historians also engage with the page—some cite my research, others add context. These interactions help validate Forgotten Cricket Memories as more than nostalgia; it’s a living, crowdsourced archive of cricket history.

8. Have you ever had a follower share a forgotten memory that led to a post?

Yes—and some have led to incredible discoveries. A follower once recalled a local game involving Shardul Thakur, which snowballed into a post that reached over thousands of views. That’s the power of collective memory in the digital age.

I regularly get DMs from followers about story ideas, for which I’m really grateful. Sometimes I’m not able to write them immediately due to other story ideas being in the pipeline, but I truly appreciate their support.

9. How do you maintain a balance between facts, nostalgia, and engagement on a platform that thrives on short attention spans?

Every story is rooted in verifiable history—but told with emotional gravity and visual appeal. I focus on three things: a strong emotional hook, historical accuracy, and a format optimized for mobile readers. The idea is to respect the intelligence of the viewer while adapting to the platform’s rhythm.

Section 4: Behind-the-Scenes

10. What’s a typical day like when you’re curating content for the page?

There’s no “typical” day—but most involve reading, verifying sources, and writing drafts that sound more like letters to a friend than social media captions. Once the story feels emotionally complete, I pair it with archival visuals, design the carousel, and manage posting and interaction.

11. Are there any go-to archives, books, or personal collections you rely on for information?

Absolutely. I use everything from Wisden Almanacks and Cricinfo databases to obscure autobiographies and scanned magazine clippings. I also work with historians, ex-journalists, and even family members of cricketers to ensure accuracy. The process is rigorous—because I see this as a form of digital history preservation.

12. How do you ensure historical accuracy while still keeping the content visually appealing and social media-friendly?

Accuracy is non-negotiable. I fact-check across at least two independent sources. Then I reframe the story in a tone that feels human. Social media-friendly doesn’t mean dumbed-down—it means condensed, curated, and emotionally resonant.

Section 5: Impact & Aspirations

13. In what ways do you think your page contributes to cricket culture or fan memory?

It bridges generations. Young fans discover stories they never knew existed, while older fans reconnect with the emotions of their youth. By spotlighting forgotten figures and moments, I’m not just telling stories—I’m helping expand the canon of cricket memory.

14. Do you see your page as just a passion project or do you have long-term plans—like a book, podcast, or documentary?

It started as a passion project but has evolved into something more purposeful. That said, I still do not intend to monetize this platform. The goal is to uphold cricket’s legacy and bring it to newer audiences—driven entirely by love for the game.

Forgotten Cricket Memories will always remain a non-commercial platform. I’m currently working on collaborative initiatives—like a storytelling series with Los Angeles Cricket, which spotlights grassroots and community cricket in the US. Long-term, I’d love to develop a book or documentary series chronicling cricket’s undocumented legacy across continents.

15. If you could sit down with any former cricketer and ask them about an underrated moment in their career, who would it be and why?

Sourav Ganguly. I’d ask about the moment he got the Test call-up in 1996. That untold moment redefined Indian cricket. It’s the kind of pivot point that fascinates me—when careers, politics, and chance all collide.

Section 6: Quick Bouncers (Rapid Fire Round)

16. Most underrated cricket match of the 90s?

India vs Zimbabwe, 1998 Sharjah triangular. Tendulkar and his duel with Henry Olonga.

17. A cricketer who was a legend in domestic cricket but never got his due in the international arena?

Amol Muzumdar. An absolute giant in First-Class cricket. Utpal Chatterjee, the legendary left-arm spinner from Bengal, who has 504 First-Class wickets in his kitty but only played 3 ODIs in the 90s.

18. The most heartwarming response you’ve received to one of your posts?

A follower said he had stopped watching cricket after 2012, but reading the posts made him feel reconnected to the game.

19. Your all-time favorite forgotten moment in cricket history?

A moment from one of the recent stories on the page—football legend Chuni Goswami bowling out a formidable West Indies lineup in 1966 in a tour game. Not a lot of people know about it.

20. One cricket moment you’d want today’s generation to watch and cherish?

Sachin Tendulkar’s last over in the Hero Cup semi-final. That one over captures the essence of belief.

Don't forget to follow Debjit Lahiri on this link

https://www.instagram.com/forgottencricketmemories?igsh=MTE3cTk0MnN3Z3JjNQ==