Wasim Jaffer among top contenders as CAB begins hunt for Bengal head coach

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is on the hunt for a new head coach for the senior men’s team. From Indian legends to international stars, Wasim Jaffer is one of many big names who have applied for the top job in the domestic arena.

The CAB had invited applications for the various coach roles and support staff for the Bengal cricket team, with the deadline set for Friday, May 1. As reported by Revsportz, around 75 candidates have applied for the position of the senior men’s Bengal head coach.

Key Points

• CAB searching for new Bengal head coach
• Around 75 candidates have applied
• Wasim Jaffer among the leading contenders
• International names like Shaun Tait also in race

Wasim Jaffer in a race to become Bengal's head coach

One of the biggest names in the race to become Bengal’s head coach is Wasim Jaffer. The former India opener is being seen as a strong favorite for the job. After ending his playing career in 2020, Jaffer has built a solid CV as a coach, apart from being a cricket pundit.

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Jaffer has worked with teams like Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Odisha in domestic cricket, and he even guided young players as a batting consultant for Bangladesh Under-19. He also served as the batting coach for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL. With more than 19,000 runs in first-class cricket, his experience makes him a very strong contender for this top role.

Another big name is the current Bengal coach, Laxmi Ratan Shukla. He wants to continue in the role. Since taking charge in 2022, Shukla has done a great job, taking Bengal to the semifinal and final of the Ranji Trophy. Several CAB officials are also happy with Shukla’s work, and they are backing him for another term with the state cricket team.

Shaun Tait, Ben Hilfenhaus among 75 applicants for the job

The race gets even more exciting with international names joining in. Former Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait has also applied. He is currently working with the Bangladesh cricket team as a pace-bowling coach and has previous experience with teams like Pakistan, West Indies, and Afghanistan.

Along with Tait, another former Australian pacer, Ben Hilfenhaus, is also in contention. There are also strong local names in the mix, like Manoj Tiwary and Wriddhiman Saha. They are hoping to take up a new challenge after their playing careers.

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Interestingly, current Bengal player Anustup Majumdar has also thrown his name into the race for the head coach’s role. The next step will be interviews, where the shortlisted names will present their plans and ideas to the team. After that, the final call will be made.

Bengal had a strong Ranji season

In the 2025-26 Ranji season, Bengal reached the semifinals, where they suffered a six-wicket loss to Jammu and Kashmir. Even though they missed the final, their overall performance was excellent.

During the group stage, Bengal finished at the top of Elite Group C with 36 points under the captaincy of Abhimanyu Easwaran, while Abishek Porel served as vice-captain.

FAQ

• Who has applied for Bengal head coach role?
  Around 75 candidates, including Wasim Jaffer and Shaun Tait.
• Is Wasim Jaffer a favourite?
  He is considered one of the leading contenders.
• Who is the current coach?
  Laxmi Ratan Shukla, who is also seeking another term.