WV Raman to coach Bengal

WV Raman, the former Indian opener, will be coach of the Bengal cricket team from September this year after a four-year stint as mentor of Tamil Nadu. He takes over from former India allrounder, Roger Binny, who oversaw an indifferent previous season for Bengal.

Raman, who had previously coached Bengal in 2001, said he wanted to shift from Tamil Nadu as they had a well-established young unit. "After four years, a time comes to decide whether you need to continue or not," he said. "If you look at it, I sort of revived Tamil Nadu and now a young side is doing duty, which can last for another seven-eight years. That being the case I thought I will have a change. What could be done to rebuild the Bengal side?"

This will be Bengal's fourth coach in four years, with two of Raman's immediate predecessors - Utpal Chaterjee and Binny - having lasted only a season each.

"In fact, Bengal wanted me two years ago," Raman said. "I thought I cannot leave Tamil Nadu in the midst of them getting into the groove. I did not want to leave half way through since the job what I wanted to do was not complete."

When asked whether former captain Sourav Ganguly would play in the Ranji Trophy, Raman said "Ganguly might play one-dayers for Bengal, if he is going to play in the IPL next season."