The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) on Tuesday appointed former cricketer Lakshmi Ratan Shukla as the head coach of the senior men’s team for the upcoming season. He will replace Arun Lal who resigned at the end of this season.
Meanwhile, former head coach of India women’s national side, WV Raman has been appointed as a batting consultant, and former cricketer Saurasish Lahiri has retained his post as an assistant coach.
Raman was earlier the head coach of Bengal in 2011-12. Under him, they beat Mumbai to win the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2012, a game in which Shukla scored a match-winning century.
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CAB President Avishek Dalmiya said, “I am extremely happy to announce our very own Laxmi Ratan Shukla as the new senior Bengal team coach. I am very hopeful that under him Bengal cricket would reach greater heights as we all know his commitment to Bengal cricket. He can connect with the players very smoothly.”
He further added, “Sourashis Lahiri would be continuing his position as the assistant coach of the team considering his performance in the recent past. Veteran cricketer and former Bengal coach W V Raman have been appointed as the batting consultant.”
Laxmi Ratan Shukla named Bengal coach, Sourashis Lahiri to continue as assistant coach. WV Raman named batting consultant
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) July 26, 2022
Shukla: "I have learnt from @SGanguly99 a lot during my playing days, he used to tell us to keep it short & simple and I have always tried to follow that." pic.twitter.com/zPvYBSGGCp
Meanwhile, Lakshmi Ratan Shukla is very happy to be the head coach of Bengal. He said, “I have learned a lot from Sourav Ganguly during my playing days. He used to tell us to keep it simple. I have always tried to follow it. I think our players are as honest as the Cricket Association of Bengal. We will all try our best to take Bengal cricket forward.”
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He further added “I like taking on new challenges. All the past coaches for Bengal did a superb job for the team. We have come close to winning trophies in the past but we’ll have to climb all the way again to reach the top in the new season.”
Lakshmi Ratan Shukla, who will take up the new role as head coach of Bengal’s senior men’s cricket team, has played three ODIs, 137 first-class games and 141 List A matches.
