Sandeep Sarkar, Kolkata: Years come, years go. The light of hope shines again and again. But the spark fades away, the lamp of hope does not turn into a fire of happiness.

Context, Ranji Trophy and Bengal cricket. Bengal is trophyless in the country’s best tournament since 1989-90. Will someone new be coached to bring back the Bengal senior team?

CAB, the governing body of Bengal Cricket, issued a notification on Friday seeking applications for the posts of coaches and support staff of all age groups in Bengal. ABP Live Bangla first wrote the news on April 22. Laxmirathan Shukla’s contract as senior team coach has expired. Will you see someone new in charge? Speculation is rife.

In 2022, Laxmiratan Shukla took over as the coach of the Bengal team. CAB appointed him after Arun Lal. Bengali team in Lakshmi’s training Ranji TrophyPlayed the final. But there was no last defense. The trophy remains elusive.

According to the notification issued by CAB on Friday, coaches and support staff will be appointed for Bengal’s senior team, U-23, U-19 and U-16 teams. The coach of the women’s team will also be appointed. Aspirants are asked to apply by May 1.

However, questions have been raised about the eligibility criteria set by CAB. It has been said that to apply, he should have played 30 first-class matches, or one Test, or 30 one-day matches or 45 international T20 matches. Seeing that the question in the minds of some in Maidan, why is the same eligibility standard for the senior team and the rest of the age-based team?

However, the notification issued by CAB has made it clear that while appointing coaches, extra emphasis will be placed on taking Bengal cricket forward, playing well in domestic tournaments, giving opportunities to more cricketers from Bengal in the national team.

Is anyone’s name on the list of favorites as the coach of Bengal? According to CAB sources, nothing is final yet. Depending on who is applying, the interview will be decided. CAB President Saurabh Gangopadhyay will give the final approval.

However, strong speculation has started with two names. One, Wriddhiman Saha. Indian teamThe former wicketkeeper was in charge of the Bengal U-23 team last season. It is heard that Papali may be given the responsibility of the senior team as well. According to CAB sources, Manoj Tiwari, the former captain of the Bengal team, is also interested in taking over. Manoj was the Minister of State for Sports in the outgoing cabinet. However, he did not get a ticket in this year’s assembly polls. Manoj is not in politics for now. He wants to stay more in cricket. The names of some of the foreign states are also being heard.

Lakshmi Ratan, will he apply again? Will the former all-rounder be seen again as the coach of the Bengal team? Lakshmiratan has recently lost his father. He said, ‘I haven’t decided yet. I will sit with Dadi (Saurav Gangopadhyay) in a few days. I will decide after discussion. But I want to serve Bengali cricket in any way.’

So will Lakshmi Ratan be seen in a new role in Bengal cricket? Curiosity is everywhere in the field.