Calcutta: Former MRF Pace Academy chief coach TA Sekhar is likely to replace Waqar Younis as fast bowling coach of the Vision 2020 project.

Although the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is yet to make a formal announcement, it was learnt that Sekhar, at this point in time, is the favourite to take up the role.

“An announcement on this matter will be made very soon. Sekhar could be the one to be the fast bowling coach in our project,” said a CAB office-bearer, on Friday.

Sekhar admitted he did have some round of discussions with CAB officials.

“CAB officials have spoken to me about this venture. But I haven’t signed on any document as yet,” the former India pacer said from New Delhi.

Meanwhile, captain Laxmi Ratan Shukla will not be travelling with the squad for the JP Atray Trophy, where Bengal play their first match on September 29 versus Himachal Pradesh.

The idea behind Shukla’s exclusion is to encourage a junior player and help him gain exposure with these tournaments.

Manoj Tiwary will lead the team in Shukla’s absence. Ashok Dinda, too, has sustained a side,-strain but will be accompanying the squad.