Shiv Sunder Das set to take charge as Manipur head coach
Former Indian cricketer Shiv Sunder Das has been appointed as the head coach of Manipur’s state cricket team for the upcoming domestic season. On the other hand, Nagaland has appointed Kanwaljit Singh, who has almost 20 years of experience in the first-class level as its head coach.
India’s domestic season for 2018-19 is set to be its biggest ever, with 37 teams participating across formats for the senior men. The addition of nine new teams, six from the North East along with Puducherry, Bihar, and Uttarakhand, has meant that there will be four groups in the Ranji Trophy, with Elite and Plate groups reintroduced. Manipur, known for its exploits in football and boxing, is one among nine cricket teams set for Ranji Trophy debut this year.
Das, who coached Odisha in the last domestic season, will now take charge of Manipur as the head coach. Speaking of which the former Indian cricketer said he is excited about the new job as the team will be playing its first-ever Ranji Trophy tournament.
“It is a new challenge for me as they will be playing Ranji for the first time. I am quite excited about the new job,” Das said.
On the other hand, Kanwaljit, who was the coach of Nagaland’s U-23 team last year, will be the head coach of the senior team for the domestic season. A. Rahman, who is the joint secretary of the Nagaland Cricket Association, said the former Hyderabad cricketer knows the Northeast culture and is familiar with the players.
“He was our under-23 coach last year. He knows our players. It is essential for a coach to understand the Northeast culture and the boys and I feel he will suit the role,” Rahman said.
Speaking about his new role, Kanwaljit said he is ready to take the responsibility to nurture the players and is excited about it.
“It is an exciting assignment as they are the babies of First Class cricket. To nurture them is a great responsibility and I am going to enjoy the role,” Kanwaljit said.
