Utpal Chatterjee appointed as Bengal coach

Utpal Chatterjee, the former India left-arm spinner, has been appointed as Bengal's coach for the upcoming season. Chatterjee will take charge from Friday, succeeding Bharat Arun, who was Bengal coach for the 2007-08 season.

Chatterjee faces a tough task, with Bengal having been relegated to the Ranji Trophy Plate League last season. "It's a new challenge. It's a big challenge," Chatterjee told IANS after his appointment. "We have to plan out things well."

One of Bengal's most successful bowlers, Chatterjee took 504 first-class wickets, and had represented India in three one-dayers in 1995. He touched peak form in the 1999-2000 season when he took 52 wickets in the Ranji Trophy, setting a new Bengal record.

Chatterjee will be part of the drive to get Bengal back to the Ranji Trophy Super League. The new Cricket Association of Bengal regime, with Jagmohan Dalmiya, the former BCCI and ICC chief, at the helm, had earlier appointed Mohinder Amarnath, the former Indian allrounder, as a consultant.