BHUBANESWAR 06-Jul-2010 126
Orissa Cricket Association president Ranjib Biswal accomplished a hat-trick, when he was appointed as the manager of the Indian cricket team for the third time in a row. Ranjib completed the hat-trick as the Team India manager for the Test and Triangular series in Sri Lanka, beginning on July 18.
Former Junior India captain, Ranjib earlier handled manager`s job of the National team in the T20 World Cup in West Indies and Asia Cup in Sri Lanka earlier this year. After India suffered an early exit from the T20 World Cup and controversy surfaced over the team`s off-field behaviour, Biswal`s
report as manager came as a perfect solution.
Happy with Biswal`s performance, BCCI retained him for the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. The OCA president lived up to more than BCCI`s expectations by guiding India to title triumph after a gap of 15 years. Hence, when the National cricket body chose Biswal to manage Team India for the ensuing Test and Triangular Sries in Sri Lanka, it was established that there was no better choice for the job.
Before achieving the hat-trick, former Orissa Ranji team captain Ranjib did duty as Team India`s manager for the West Indies tour in 2006. Speaking about the ensuing tour to Sri Lanka, the OCA president expressed confidence that Team India would win the series to retain its No 1 position in ICC Test rankings. He was of the opinion that the return of seniors Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman would help India win the 3-Test series against Sri Lanka.
