Bengal team likely to replace coach

The Cricket Association of Bengal is planning to change the coach of the Bengal team for the ensuing first class season. The decision to change the coach has been more or less taken by the CAB's Coaching Sub-Committee. Bengal was coached by former Ranji Trophy cricketer Palash Nandy last year and the side failed to blossom under him.

Even though the Association is not ready to blame Nandy for the poor showing last year, a section of the coaching committee feels that he is too mild mannered a personality to tackle the present bunch of young cricketers that are in the team at present. According to a member of the committee, the administrative manager last season had complaints against players like Nikhil Haldipur, Rohan Gavaskar, Lakshmi Ratan Shukla and a few others in his report.

However, on the other hand, Nandy had no grievances, simply because he wanted to remain out of controversy. The coaching sub-committee feels that it would be better to replace Nandy with someone who is tough.

The name that has been doing the rounds is former Railways and Bengal fast bowler, Samar Chakrabarty. This medium fast bowler who opened the bowling for Bengal with former Indian pacer Subrato Guha, is known to be a man who does not mince his words. In fact, once when he was a selector, Chakrabarty had threatened to walk out of a meeting simply because his suggestions were not being accepted. He is also known to be a coach, who always believes in hard work and discipline. The coaching sub-committee feels that he would be the right person to tackle the present bunch.

However, everything will depend on whether President Jagmohan Dalmiya finally gives his approval to the change. Dalmiya is a person who is of the opinion that a coach should be given some time before his ouster. Nandy has been the coach of the side for a year now. So Dalmiya may want to continue with him. However, the coaching subcommittee members feel that they will be able to persuade Dalmiya to agree to the change.