Former Indian pacer Debasis Mohanty re-appointed Odisha Ranji coach

Cuttack: Former Indian fast bowler Debasis Mohanty has been re-appointed as the head coach of Odisha Ranji team.

An official confirmation on the appointment of Mohanty was made by the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) on Saturday.

He will replace  the outgoing former Indian opening batsman Shiv Sundar Das. Das has been appointed as the new technical director of the Odisha Cricket Academy.

Mohanty had earlier served as the top coach of the senior team of the State, replacing Australian Michael Bevan in 2011 and continued his stint till August 2017.

Before that he was previously appointed the coach of East Zone team and had successfully led them to their first ever Duleep Trophy.

Regarded as one of the genuine fast bowlers India has ever produced, Mohanty has played in two Tests and 45 One Day Internationals for the country between 1997 to 2001.

As a bowler his major success came during the 1999 Cricket World Cup when he emerged as the second highest Indian wicket taker despite playing four games fewer than Javagal Srinath -the then leading Indian wicket taker.

Meanwhile, Suresh Kumar has been appointed as the coach of U-23 cricket squad while Niranjan Behera has been roped in to coach the U-19 team. Rashmita Mohanty will continue as the coach of Odisha Women's senior team.

Bishnudev Mohanty and Bidhan Chandra Rout have been made Chairman of men's and women's senior Ranji and U-23 squads respectively. Manoj Biswal has been appointed as the Trainer while Suvakanta Sahoo will be the Physio of the senior Ranji team.