The Journey of Saurab “Chats” Chatterjee: A Life Dedicated to Cricket
Saurab Chatterjee, fondly known as “Chats,” has built an extraordinary legacy in cricket, both as a player and coach. Before moving to South Africa, Chats made his mark in India, playing premiership cricket for Bengal State at under-15, under-17, and under-19 levels, as well as representing All India University Cricket. His athletic versatility extended to rowing, where he also represented Bengal State.
In the late 1990s, Chats accepted an invitation from cricket legends Brian McMillan and Dr. Ali Bacher to join Alberton Cricket Club in South Africa. As a specialist bowler, he quickly became an integral part of the team, earning the title of the club’s top bowler for ten consecutive years. His peak performances came in the 2004/2005 Gauteng Premier League seasons, where he took 50 and 51 wickets in consecutive years, earning the prestigious Cricketer of the Year award both times.
Chats’ talent saw him represent Gauteng as the twelfth man against Pakistan and play for the Gauteng Lions during the 2005/2006 season, where he delivered a standout performance of 4/27 against the Cape Cobras. He also played in the Pro20 season and was selected as the 13th man for South Africa against the West Indies under the leadership of the late Hansie Cronje.
Throughout his playing career, Chats shared the field with some of cricket’s finest, including Andrew Hall, Paul Collingwood, Min Patel, Ian Smith, and Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian captain, during his time in India.
Chats’ passion for cricket naturally transitioned into coaching, where he nurtured young talent with the same dedication that defined his playing career. Among his protégés are Vaughn van Jaarsveld, who played for South Africa’s U-19 team and now represents Natal; Liam Smith, a standout in the U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh; Carmi Le Roux, who represents the Lions; and Dewan Marais, who played in the 2023/2024 U-19 World Cup for South Africa.
Since 2007, Chats has expanded his contributions to the game by organizing international cricket tours. To date, he has led 17 tours to India and beyond, averaging two tours annually. His teams have competed in tournaments across Dubai, Sri Lanka, and India, with highlights including the 2023/2024 Three Nations Tour and a match played at the iconic Dharamshala Stadium. Additionally, Chats brings three to four teams from India to South Africa each year for competitive matches.
Chats has also undertaken two senior tours to India (2009/2011) and umpired at the prestigious Kaya Majola U-19 Cricket Week for four consecutive years (2009-2012). His involvement in cricket officiating extends further, as he is a member of the Union of Gauteng Cricket Umpire Association and Cricket South Africa Umpires. He has completed the Level 3 Umpiring Course with the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) and brings the same professionalism to umpiring that he does to coaching.
In addition to cricket, Chats is also a qualified soccer referee, having completed Level Two with the South African Football Association (SAFA) and recently achieving Level One certification in 2024. His coaching credentials are equally impressive, having completed Level Three Cricket Coaching with the United Cricket Board. Between 2015 and 2016, Chats coached Alberton’s Premier League team, further solidifying his reputation as a skilled mentor.
With over 33 years of coaching experience and more than 6,000 young cricketers trained under his guidance, Chats has become an invaluable figure in the cricketing world. Saurab “Chats” Chatterjee’s story is one of dedication, excellence, and an unwavering love for cricket—a true testament to the power of sport in shaping lives and building legacies.
