CAB appoints Ashoke Dinda as Vision 2028 head and fast bowling coach
Synopsis
The Cricket Association of Bengal has handed Ashoke Dinda — a current West Bengal minister and former India pacer — the reins of its Vision 2028 talent development programme, alongside spinner Utpal Chatterjee. Backed by Sourav Ganguly's CAB leadership, the initiative integrates every level of Bengal cricket coaching under one unified framework, launching July 2026.
Key Takeaways
CAB announced the Vision 2028 programme on 24 June , set to launch in July 2026 .
Ashoke Dinda named Head of Vision 2028 and Fast Bowling Coach ; Utpal Chatterjee named Spin Bowling Coach .
Dinda played 13 ODIs and 9 T20Is for India and currently serves as a West Bengal Minister of State .
Chatterjee played 3 ODIs for India in 1995 and coached Bengal in 2008-09 .
The programme covers squads from Under-16 to senior men's and women's Bengal teams.
The initiative follows a planning meeting at Eden Gardens chaired by CAB President Sourav Ganguly .
The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) on Wednesday, 24 June announced the appointment of Ashoke Dinda and Utpal Chatterjee as the twin pillars of its 'Vision 2028' player development programme, set to launch in July 2026. Dinda has been designated Head of Vision 2028 and Fast Bowling Coach, while Chatterjee takes charge as Spin Bowling Coach for the initiative.
What Vision 2028 Aims to Achieve
The Vision 2028 programme is designed as a structured, end-to-end blueprint to identify, nurture, and elevate cricketing talent across West Bengal. In a notable structural decision, the CAB has integrated the full coaching core — including head coaches and assistant coaches of all major state representative squads — into the programme's operational framework.
Squads covered span the Under-16, Under-19, Under-23, and the senior men's and women's Bengal teams, ensuring a unified development pathway from grassroots to elite level.
Who Dinda and Chatterjee Are
Ashoke Dinda represented India in 13 ODIs and 9 T20Is between 2009 and 2013, establishing himself as one of Bengal's most celebrated pace bowlers. Beyond cricket, Dinda currently serves as the Minister of State for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises and Textiles in the West Bengal government, making his dual role a point of public interest.
Utpal Chatterjee, a seasoned left-arm spinner, played 3 ODIs for India in 1995 and later served as head coach of Bengal during the 2008-09 season, bringing both playing pedigree and coaching experience to the programme.
The Leadership Backing the Plan
The appointments follow a high-level meeting at Eden Gardens involving CAB President Sourav Ganguly, Vice-President Nitish Ranjan Dutta, and Treasurer Sanjay Das, who convened with District Sports Association secretaries and representatives to chart the road map for the 2026-27 local season. The meeting came on the heels of the conclusion of both the men's and women's Bengal T20 leagues.
What Comes Next
With the programme scheduled to commence in July 2026, the focus will now shift to operationalising the coaching structure and rolling out the talent identification framework across Bengal's districts. The involvement of figures of Ganguly's stature signals that CAB is treating this as a flagship initiative rather than a routine administrative exercise.
Point of View
And CAB has not addressed whether Dinda's political responsibilities could constrain his availability. The Vision 2028 label is ambitious, but the real test will be whether the integrated coaching structure produces measurable talent outcomes — Bengal has historically punched below its weight in Ranji Trophy despite a rich cricketing culture. Ganguly's direct involvement lends credibility, but credibility alone has not historically translated into systemic improvement at the district level, where talent pipelines either form or fail.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CAB's Vision 2028 programme?
Vision 2028 is the Cricket Association of Bengal's structured player development initiative designed to identify and nurture cricketing talent across West Bengal. It integrates coaching staff from the Under-16 level through to the senior men's and women's Bengal teams under a unified framework, launching in July 2026.
What is Ashoke Dinda's role in Vision 2028?
Ashoke Dinda has been appointed Head of Vision 2028 and Fast Bowling Coach by CAB. He is a former India pacer who played 13 ODIs and 9 T20Is, and also currently serves as Minister of State for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises and Textiles in the West Bengal government.
Who is Utpal Chatterjee and what will he do in Vision 2028?
Utpal Chatterjee is a former India left-arm spinner who played 3 ODIs in 1995 and later coached Bengal during the 2008-09 season. He has been named Spin Bowling Coach for the Vision 2028 programme.
When does Vision 2028 begin?
The Vision 2028 programme is scheduled to commence in July 2026, following its announcement by CAB on 24 June.
What role did Sourav Ganguly play in this development?
CAB President Sourav Ganguly, along with Vice-President Nitish Ranjan Dutta and Treasurer Sanjay Das, held a meeting with District Sports Association representatives at Eden Gardens to plan the 2026-27 local season, which preceded and informed the Vision 2028 appointments.
