Raju to coach Orissa Ranji team

The Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) has appointed Venkatapathy Raju as the chief coach of state ranji team. Raju is currently the selector for Indian Cricket Team from south zone whose tenure is due to end this month.

Raju, who played his last international match against Australia in 2001 at the famous Eden Gardens where India registered a historic victory, holds the credit of playing 28 Tests and 53 ODIs. As a left-arm spin bowler, he has 93 Tests and 63 ODI wickets.

Taking his good track records in bowling, he is expected to contribute a lot to Orissa’s ranji team. It was announced by OCA secretary Ashirvad Behera after a crucial meeting on Thursday.

However, Daniel Rout, Sourajit Mohapatra and Abkash Khatua will remain in their coaching job in batting, bowling and fielding respectively for the coming season. Earlier, Abkash khauta was serving as the chief coach of Orissa.

In the last four years, OCA had appointed two coaches from outside the state. During 2003-04 Balbinder Singh Sandhu was working as the coach, while Asjit Jayaprakasham was for 2004-05 season.