Shiv Sunder Das to coach Manipur

Former India cricketer Das is expected to hold a pre-season camp in Imphal in the first week of September.

Published : Aug 29, 2018 14:57 IST

Former India opener Shiv Sunder Das is all set to become the head coach of Manipur.

Former India cricketer Shiv Sunder Das, who coached Odisha in the last domestic season, will now take charge of Manipur as head coach.

Manipur, known for its exploits in football and boxing, is one among nine cricket teams set for Ranji Trophy debut this year.

The Northeast terrain isn't unknown to Das. Two years ago, he had conducted a camp for the U-19 players in Shillong.

Das is expected to conduct a pre-season camp with the Manipur probables in the first week of September.

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"I think 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. The camp, back then, was a good experience. There were a few Manipur players there. I think they are quite fit," Das told Sportstar on Wednesday.

"It is also a challenge for them to assess themselves at the highest level," he added.

Currently at the National Cricket Academy for the U-16 camp, Das has to apply for a release before the season starts.

"We were looking for good coaches. Some of my players were under him in the Shillong camp and they rated him highly. I met him in that camp and we had had a discussion that time only.

"Since we are playing this time. I called him and he was ready to come," Singam Priyananda Singh, Honorary Secretary (Manipur Cricket Association) explained how he roped in Das.

Having donned the Test whites 23 times for India, Das comes with a bag full of experience.