It is official now ! Former India opening batsman Wasim Jaffer has resigned as the Head Coach of Odisha Ranji Team. This was officially disclosed by Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) today. According to press release from OCA, Jaffer would be replaced by former Odisha Ranji Trophy player R Srikanth.

“Jaffer had been appointed as the Head Coach of Odisha Ranji Team for two years. But he has put down his resignation from the position, having accepted a coaching assignment from Bangladesh Cricket Board for their U-19 team,’’ the OCA release revealed.

The OCA management had several rounds of discussion to retain him. However,
finally his resignation has been accepted by the Cricket Advisory Committee,’’ OCA Secretary Sanjay Behera said in the release.

“The CAC (Cricket Advisory Committee) of OCA has recommended R Srikanth (BCCI Level-3 Certified Coach), who is currently working as the Technical Director of Odisha Cricket Academy to be the Lead Coach of Odisha Senior Men team for the season 2022-23,” he added.

“Srikanth has been actively involved in educating the aspiring Level-1 & Level-2 coaches of Odisha for the NCA programs and has successful coaching background from past 20 years at different levels,” the OCA Secretary stated.
It may be noted that, under Jaffer, Odisha failed to make any good impression in the last domestic season, losing two Ranji Trophy games by an innings margin in three games in total. It is not known it that was the reason for his resignation.

According to sources close to OCA, former Odisha captain Rashmi Ranjan Parida, who was the head coach for two seasons before being an assistant to Jaffer, was tipped be the next Head Coach of the side. But OCA opted for Srikanth for reasons best known to the State body.

According to media reports, Jaffer had already revealed his deal with Bangladesh National cricket body. “I am very excited at this opportunity to take up this job and prepare the Bangladesh U-19 boys for the next level and work at the High Performance Centre of Bangladesh Board. I have worked with Bangladesh Cricket Board earlier,” he had said in statement earlier.