Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) working committee on Saturday appointed Rashmi Ranjan Parida and Kulamani Parida as the head coach and selector of the senior Odisha team, respectively.
It was necessitated following appointment of former head coach of the Ranji team, Debasish Mohanty, as as a member of BCCI junior selection committee, the previous day.
Earlier, Rashmi was the batting coach and a selector in the State senior selection committee. After his appointment as head coach, former Railways’ off-spinner Kulamani was picked as a member of the selection committee.
Rashmi has played 139 first-class matches for Odisha, Rajasthan, Assam, Vidarbha and Himachal Pradesh. He was in the Himachal team in 2014-15 Ranji season and played a crucial knock in Rajasthan’s victory in 2011. This Bhubaneswar-born batsman has scored 8317 runs at an average of 42.21 in first-class cricket.
Kulamani, however, has not played for Odisha at the senior. He made his debut for Railways in 1996 and was part of its deadly spin bowling attack along with former India international player Murali Kartik. He announced his retirement 2010 after his bowling action was deemed suspect in two consecutive seasons.
“I am looking forward to getting involved in the team selection. The focus will be on the youngsters from under 23 to 19 and also on the performance of the players from the previous season. This year, it’s going to be a long Ranji season and I hope the team will do well under new coach Rashmi Ranjan,” Kulmani told a sports web portal.
