Mohinder Amarnath says he took over as Bengal Ranji team's consultant because CAB chief Jagmohan Dalmiya insisted on it.

"To be honest, I'm here only because of Dalmiya... I've high regards for him. He has done enough for Bengal cricket so when he contacted me to join Bengal I could not deny, despite the fact that I've to work with my commentary assignments," said Amarnath.

Asked what would be his role considering that Utpal Chatterjee has been appointed as the Bengal coach and how much time he would be able to spare for the team, the former India all-rounder said, "I'm working the details. But I'll try to spend most of my time with the Bengal boys."
Sunil Gavaskar-led BCCI Technical Committee might have given the state association a green signal to rope in a foreign import in their squad, but the veteran thought otherwise.

"I don't think Bengal needs somebody from outside. We have enough talent in our ranks to perform. Moreover, why should we rope in somebody at the cost of our local talent," he said.

Languishing in the Plate Division, Bengal face a tough challenge ahead but Amarnath feels, "What's life without challenges? You have ups and downs, good and bad phase. We should take the positive from the past and look forward.

"The players are experienced and they seem determined and focused this time around. We have to work as a unit to achieve our goal (of making it to the Super League)," he added.

Looking back at the last season, the 57-year-old said, "There was a players' exodus (to the Indian Cricket League) last time. But we must know that if a door closes another opens. You always learn from past.

"We hope Bengal will also learn from what they did wrong and make amends when they fight it out in the Plate Division this season. This is just a matter of one good season," he added.

Amarnath was a strong contender to coach Team India before Greg Chappell was picked in 2005.

Post retirement, Amarnath guided an upcoming Bangladesh side in the mid-1990s but he was removed after they failed to make the 1996 World Cup.

He then had a short stint coaching Rajasthan as well as a coaching assignment with the Moroccan cricket team.