Ashok Malhotra named Bengal coach

Former India batsman Ashok Malhotra was appointed coach of Bengal on Monday, after WV Raman returned to Tamil Nadu to take over as coach.

Malhotra is a level III coach, with experience of coaching India A. "Bengal cricket has been struggling for some time. There's a lot of work to do. I truly believe we have the potential to make it count," he said. "The real work will begin after we pick the side in September.

"As a commentator for last nine years, I've been shutting between Delhi and Kolkata. But now, it's like coming back home. I am so excited to return to Bengal. I personally feel I can give something back to Bengal cricket. I've given an opportunity and am looking forward to give my best."

Malhotra expected batsman Manoj Tiwary to come good for Bengal. "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.

Malhotra said two important aspects of a coach's job were man-management and ensuring that players who were experiencing a slump were given confidence. "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. We have to move as one unit."

Malhotra, a former selector, played seven Tests and 20 ODIs for India, and 156 first-class matches for Bengal and Haryana, scoring 9784 runs at 50.95. He also once held the record for the most runs in Ranji Trophy cricket.