Raghuram Bhat appointed Goa coach

Raghuram Bhat, the former India and Karnataka left-arm spinner, has been appointed coach of Goa for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season. Bhat replaces Rajesh Kamath and will coach Goa for two years.

Bhat was Karnataka's bowling mainstay for a decade and finished with 374 first-class wickets. He was called up to the national team in 1983 but played only two Tests before being dropped.

The Goa Cricket Association (GCA) president Dayanand Narvekar said Bhat would be the last coach from a different state to be hired by Goa. After his tenure is over, the onus will be on Goan coaches. Narvekar also said they have decided to cut down the number of outstation players from three to one for the 2011-12 Ranji season. Last season, Goa had former Haryana wicketkeeper-batsman Ajay Ratra and former Tamil Nadu batsman S Vidyut in their squad.

Goa finished third in their group in the Ranji Trophy Plate League last season, missing out on a semi-final berth by five points. With teams like Maharashtra in their group this year, Goa will start preparations early with a camp from July 15.