Xtra Time Web Desk: The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) on Saturday extended the contract of former India cricketer VVS Laxman as the batting consultant till March 2022. Laxman’s contract was supposed to terminate in October 2021. The association had earlier announced that Arun Lal would continue to be the Chief Coach of the Senior Bengal Team for the 2021-2022 season.
Former India left arm spinner Utpal Chatterjee would continue to be the spin bowling coach for all the Bengal squads. Another former Bengal cricketer Shib Shankar Paul was appointed as the bowling coach for all the Bengal Squads.
Saurasish Lahiri has been promoted as assistant coach of the Senior Bengal Team considering his performance as a Coach at the U23 Bengal Men’s Team. Former India all rounder and ex Bengal captain Laxmi Ratan Shukla has been appointed as as U23 Bengal Team Coach.
Bengal Chief Coach Arun Lal is happy to see Saurasish Lahiri being appointed as assistant coach. According to Arun Lal, “I am very happy with his appointment. He is honest, hardworking, focussed and driven. He has been with the U23 boys for three seasons and he knows them very well. I know him personally and like him, he has been a spectacular cricketer for Bengal. I am looking forward to working with him.”
Sourasish Lahiri shared his thoughts on being given the added responsibility.
“I have played for Bengal from U13 stage. I have always tried to give the best for Bengal, but the CAB has given me back many times more. The way I smoothly transitioned from being a player to coach would not have been possible without Dadi (Sourav Ganguly) and Avishek Dalmiya. Then Snehashis (Ganguly) da always encouraged me and asked me to give the best. It is a great honour to be the assistant coach of Bengal and work alongside an iconic personality like Arun Lal. I will try to repay my faith by giving my best,” said Sourasish.
Reacting to his appointment Laxmi Ratan Shukla said, “Let’s work together. Looking forward.”
As far as Women’s Coaching Staffs are concerned, Rituparna Roy would be the head Coach while Charanjit Singh would be the Assistant Coach of the Bengal Senior Women’s Team.