Calcutta: Ashok Malhotra is the new Bengal coach. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Jagmohan Dalmiya, on Monday, announced at an informal media conference that the former Bengal captain has been given a two-year contract. Malhotra replaces Woorkeri Raman who was at the helm since 2010-11 season.
?We had shortlisted quite a few names? But we thought Ashok Malhotra has the credentials. He is as good as Raman. He starts from September 1,? Dalmiya said.
Malhotra said the job would be a challenging one. ?Challenging definitely but I am ready for the job. I am excited and looking ahead to this new assignment. Bengal haven?t been doing well of late. I see no reason why a team of Bengal?s calibre should fare so badly. We have to be competitive,? Malhotra said.
A Level III coach, the 56-year-old Malhotra has coached India A.
Known as a tough task master, Malhotra said his primary focus would be to ensure the dressing room was happy. ?If the dressing room is happy everything will fall into place. The advantage is in the dressing room the coach will speak in Bengali. From my personal experience, I have seen if you interact in mother tongue, then the players open up easily. That?s very important.
?Being friendly with the players helps. We have to move as one unit. A coach?s job is man management and giving confidence to players who are going through a slump in form.?
Malhotra, who played seven Tests for India and also featured in 20 ODIs, said he would be banking on the seniors like Manoj Tiwary, Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Wriddhiman Saha. ?Manoj will be out for early part of the season. But once he is back he will deliver. My main worry is the spin department. We have a good bunch of pace bowlers but the spin attack is very weak. So my primary focus will be to build a good spin department.?
Talking about Laxmi, he said the senior pro made his India debut when he was the national selector way back in 1999. ?He is a winner and so am I... That means we will be on the same page.?
Laxmi also was excited with Malhotra?s appointment. ?It is really pleasing to hear that Ashok Sir will be our new coach. I have always shared a very cordial relationship with him and am really glad that we?ll be able to work with him.?
As a commentator Malhotra has been scathing in his attack but now he would be on the other side of the fence. ?Well for nine years I have criticised the players but now I am ready to face the music.?
Malhotra said he would be happy if Kapil Dev agrees to have a session with the pace bowlers. ?That will be excellent. But Kapil has a very busy schedule and I have to see whether he could squeeze out some time.? Malhotra is also ready to take help from Sourav Ganguly too.
Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130723/jsp/sports/story_17146848.jsp
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