Mohanty replaces Bevan as Orissa coach

Following the disastrous outing in the zonal Twenty20 tournament, for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the Orissa Cricket Association has named former India seamer Debasish Mohanty as the team's coach. He will replace Australia's Michael Bevan.

"Mohanty has already joined the side this morning. He is the best available option," OCA secretary Asirbad Behera said.

Under the Australian coach, Orissa began their season very early as they toured Down Under for an exposure trip.

But all their preparation fizzled out in the zonal Twenty20 tournament in Jamshedpur as they failed to make the knockout stage, finishing fourth among five East Zone teams.

Toppers Bengal and second-placed Assam made the cut from East Zone.

But the OCA said personal reasons were behind Bevan's exit.

"He (Bevan) had some family problem and wanted to fly home for 15 days. We cannot have somebody as a stop-gap coach so had to part ways."

Mohanty, who has a level one coaching license, is the fittest candidate for Orissa.

"He has been associated with Orissa cricketers and knows all of them. He was the obvious choice. He has been given a contract for the whole season," informed Behera.

The former India seamer played two Tests and 45 ODIs in a career spanning four years, from 1997 to 2001.

The right-arm medium pacer found success in the limited-overs format, taking 57 wickets at an average of 29.15.