Laxmi Ratan Shukla (right) has retained his place as the Bengal senior team’s head coach. | Photo Credit: Santadeep Dey

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has retained Laxmi Ratan Shukla as the head coach of the State Ranji Trophy team and roped in former Maharashtra batter Surendra Bhave as his deputy for the 2026-27 domestic season.

The CAB had invited applications for a broader set of coaching roles on April 24, including that of the head coach, fuelling talks that the Association might look beyond Shukla, who has been coaching the side since 2022.

“To ensure the highest standards of excellence and transparency, an independent screening panel comprising distinguished former international and First Class cricketers — Arun Lal, Devang Gandhi and Kalyan Choudhury — was to screen and shortlist the candidates,” the CAB said in a statement.

“The evaluation was conducted strictly independently through comprehensive interviews, ensuring a fair, merit-based and unbiased selection process,” the CAB added.

Shukla has guided Bengal to a Ranji Trophy final (2022-23) and two semifinals during his tenure.

Bhave, who has scored 7,971 runs for Maharashtra from 97 FC matches at an average of 58.18, has extensive experience as a coach on the domestic circuit. He was also a national selector during the 2008-10 period.

READ: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi equals record for fastest fifty in IPL playoffs

Bhave will also wear the hat of a batting consultant during his season-long stint.

Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary will begin his foray into coaching, having been appointed as coach of the Bengal Under-19 side. Dattatreya Mukherjee will be his deputy.

Former India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha will continue in his role as U-23 head coach with Sabir Ali assisting him.

Anustup Majumdar, a Bengal stalwart who has played 103 First Class matches and scored 5,962 runs at an average of 41.40, ended his 22-year-long domestic career silently to take up the State U-16 head coach’s role.

The 42-year-old Majumdar had a middling 2025-26 Ranji season, scoring 393 runs from nine matches, averaging 32.75. Gautam Shome (Jr) will be assisting him.

Published on May 28, 2026