Niraj Odedra

Niraj Odedra

Personal information
Full name	Niraj Rambhai Odedra
Born	(1975-01-18) 18 January 1975 (age 49) Porbandar, Gujarat, India
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm off spin
Head coaching information
Years	Team
2020–present	Saurashtra
2022–present	Bermuda
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 26 January 2023

Niraj Rambhai Odedra (born 18 January 1975) is an Indian cricket coach and former player. He was appointed head coach of Saurashtra in 2020 and additionally became coach of the Bermuda national cricket team in 2022. He previously played for Saurashtra as a right-arm off spin bowler.

Early life

Odedra was born on 18 January 1975 in Porbandar, Gujarat, India.^[1]

Playing career

Odedra played 26 Ranji Trophy matches and 22 List A matches for Saurashtra between 1998 and 2004. He took 80 first-class wickets including two ten-wicket hauls.^[1]

Odedra also played for Chingford in the Essex Cricket League where he was the leading runscorer from 2004 to 2006.^[2]

Coaching career

In 2015, Odedra was appointed as Saurashtra's bowling and fielding coach.^[3] He was an assistant coach during the team's maiden title victory in the 2019–20 Ranji Trophy.^[4] In April 2020 he was appointed to succeed Karsan Ghavri as Saurashtra's head coach.^[5]

In June 2022, Odedra was appointed coach of the Bermuda national cricket team on a short-term contract, replacing interim coach Cal Waldron.^[3] His initial contract expired in September 2022, but he returned to oversee the team's preparation for the 2023 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier.^[6]

References

1. "Niraj Odedra". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
2. "Niraj Odedra". Chingford Cricket Club. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
3. Murley, Sam (29 June 2022). "Indian Niraj Odedra appointed Bermuda coach on short-term deal". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
4. "Saurashtra strongman Niraj Odedra goes international with Bermuda". Times of India. 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
5. Bhattacharyya, Wriddhaayan (22 April 2020). "Niraj Odedra, the silent assassin of Saurashtra". The Hindu. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
6. Thompson, Colin (15 December 2022). "National cricket coach warns 'stars' should not take T20 place for granted". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 26 January 2023.