Bangladesh coach applies for Bengal role [Source: AFP]Bengal has long been a strong team in Indian domestic cricket, but even with some big names, they have had little success. The team has shown promise at times, but they have struggled with consistency, while other states have pulled ahead in winning trophies.Looking to make considerable changes in the team, and starting from the coaching department, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) recently issued an advertisement for the job of the head coach, and other support staff, and surprisingly, some international names have also shown keen interest.Shaun Tait, Ben Hilfenhaus show interest in Bengal jobIn the latest and surprising development, former Australian cricketers Shaun Tait and Ben Hilfenhaus are among the candidates who have shown interest in becoming the Bengal head coach.The development was confirmed by RevSportz, and the duo is keen to take the Bengal State team forward with their international experience. Tait has done well as a bowling coach at the international level, and he is currently associated with the Bangladesh side.He has a contract with Bangladesh that runs till 2027. Apart from the Tigers, the legendary Australian pacer has also worked with Afghanistan, West Indies, and Pakistan cricket teams.On the other hand, Hilfenhaus has worked as a coach at the club level in Hobart, but he doesn’t have an extensive coaching resume, which Tait possesses.Also Read: Tamim Iqbal Announces New Tournament In BangladeshSeveral Indian stalwarts also apply for the roleNot only overseas candidates, but the three Indian stalwarts have also applied for the role of the Bengal coach. As many as 75 candidates have applied for the role, but the front-runners are Manoj Tiwary, Wasim Jaffer, Wriddhiman Saha, and Laxmi Ratan Shukla, the current Bengal coach.According to the RevSportz report, Jaffer is the current hot favourite to become the new Bengal head coach. A legendary figure in the Indian domestic circuit, Jaffer has carved a name for himself, scoring truckloads of runs.He has previously been associated with Odisha, Uttarakhand, and Punjab domestic teams, and has also worked as a batting coach with IPL side, Punjab Kings.Shukla, on the other hand, is eager to continue as the Bengal head coach, and under him, the team has progressed, making it into the semifinal and finals of the Ranji Trophy tournament.Several members of the Bengal State Association are in favour of Shukla continuing as the Bengal coach for the upcoming season.Bengal's domestic performances in 2025-26In recent years, the Bengal team has made progress, but it has not resulted in trophy success. Under Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Bengal made. it into the semifinals of 2025/2026 Ranji Trophy season, but they failed to cross the hurdle as Jammu and Kashmir defeated them.However, in the SMAT 2025/26, Bengal couldn’t ride the same success, as their approach backfired in the tournament, and the side failed to move out of their group, and got crashed out.Similarly, the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the side once again crashed out of their group, and thus, their domestic campaign ended on a low note after failing to deliver in two domestic tournaments.Also Read: Pakistan Players Who Might Have Sealed A Spot For Next T20 World Cup Because Of PSL 2026
