Arun Lal steps down as the head coach of Bengal after three seasons

Arun Lal steps down as the head coach of Bengal after three seasons due to the “taxing” nature of the role. He felt that he had to stop before being “kicked out”. He believes that Bengal have been doing well and they are on the right track.

Lal said that, although he would miss being involved with the team, he needs to give himself time. Speaking about the Indian domestic circuit, he feels that Bengal are heading in the right direction to win a trophy. He reckons that the competition has become tougher, as he highlighted that the finalists of this season did not even make it to the semifinals last season.

“It’s a very tough job. Nine months, 24×7, and almost seven months on the road,’ Lal was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. “So I thought it was time to stop, before being kicked out,” the former Bengal joked. “And Bengal have been doing well, they are on the right track.”

I have enjoyed myself thoroughly: Arun Lal

“The competition has become much tougher,” said the former India opener. “Last year’s winners did not qualify for the semi-finals this year. The finalists this year did not make the semi-finals last year. Only Bengal made the knockouts both seasons. So, they are in a good place.”

“This is a fantastic performance by Bengal, and I have enjoyed myself thoroughly. And I will miss it. It’s very taxing. But I need to give myself time, and I have interests outside cricket too. The only thing we don’t have is a trophy, but I am sure we are headed there,” said Lal, who played 16 Test matches and 13 ODIs for India during 1982-89.

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is yet to announce Lal’s successor. Currently, former Bengal off-spinner Saurasish Lahiri is the assistant coach and former Bengal all-rounder Joydeep Mukherjee is the Director of Cricket. In the 2021-22 Ranji Trophy season, Bengal, led by Abhimanyu Easwaran, lost in the semifinal to Madhya Pradesh, who were the eventual winners of the competition.