Kenya‘s new head coach, former Indian cricketer Dodda Ganesh has been appointed at Sikh Union Club on Tuesday August 13th. While bowling medium pace and with lower order batting skills, Ganesh who played four Tests and one ODI for the nation in 1997 accumulated only 29 runs and six wickets during that time frame.
Yet, at the age of now 51years old he ranked high on domestic circuit for India’s state of Karnataka by recording total tally of 493 wickets coupled with 2548 runs across a record number of 193 first class + List-A matches. In view of this long resume on various levels of coaching within India himself Dodda shall aim at uplifting Kenya’s under-performing cricketing statistics.
A video where Dodda Ganesh is seen being unveiled as Kenya’s new head coach came into existence in social media as follows:
Cricket Kenya unveil former aindian International cricketer Dodda Ganesh as the new men's National Team head coach. Kenya will face Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Denmark and Jersey in the ICC Division 2 Challenge League in September and T20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers in October. pic.twitter.com/om0jahHMIy
— Nami Nation (@namination254) August 13, 2024
The steering wheel was in hands of Ganesh who took over from Lameck Onyango but would have coaching support from Onyango, Joseph Angara and Joseph Asichi.
His initial two tasks include the ICC Division Two Challenge League which takes place in September, as well as T20 World Cup African Qualifiers coming in October. During the Challenge League, Kenya will face Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Denmark and Jersey:
“My primary goal is to secure a spot in the World Cup”- Dodda Ganesh
Dodda Ganesh articulated that, as a main motive for his coaching the Kenyan team, he aimed to secure a spot for them at the World Cup.
From 1996 through 2011, Kenya participated in five consecutive ODI World Cups, and even reached an astonishing milestone of making it to the semi-finals in 2003. They also took part in the first T20 World Cup which was held in 2007 but have not made any appearance ever since.
After being appointed as Kenya’s head coach by CEO Ronald Bukusi, Ganesh stated (in a statement reported by 777 score):
“My first vision is to qualify for the World Cup. I’ve seen the dedication and hard work among the players. I’m not interested in the past, but I firmly believe that Kenyans possess the spirit of champions. I’ve been watching Kenyan cricket matches on YouTube, and I’m impressed with the talent I see. It’s evident that the players are in good shape.”
Apart from the World Cup, Kenya took part in three editions of the Champion Trophy between 2000 and 2004.However their ODI status was lost in 2014 after being placed out of the top four in the 2014 Cricket World Cup Qualifier.
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