Cricket Kenya announce new national team head coach

Former Indian cricketer Dodda Narasiah Ganesh is the new Kenya men’s cricket team head coach, following his unveiling on Tuesday.

Ganesh, 51, comes in as a replacement for former head coach Lameck Onyango, who will now join former Kenya cricketer Joseph Angara and fitness trainer Joseph Asichi in a brand-new technical bench.

The changes, which were preluded by a significant restructuring of Cricket Kenya’s national team management last week, come as part of a strategic push by the organization towards “reviving the game, and returning it to the international stage.”

Cricket Kenya unveils major restructuring of national team management

Kenya, once a powerhouse in world cricket, has over the last decade crawled on its belly in a bid to match their previous achievements, which include five consecutive trips to the World Cup, leading up to its last appearance in 2011.

Cricket Kenya, in a bid to “enhance its competitive edge and align with long-term strategic goals”, took the initiative to create two crucial bodies: the Elite Squads and National Teams Sub-Committee, and the National Selection Panel, which sat for two months, before coming with a plan for a new coach set to steer the team into “a bright future.”

“This presents a new and exciting chapter in the history of Kenyan cricket,” Narendra Patel, Chair of the National Selection Panel said on Tuesday.

“We have over the past few months been deliberating on some technical and structural aspects that will pave way for a long overdue return to the international stage.

“Today, we are not only introducing Ganesh as our new coach, but also a visionary leader who shares the spirit and ambition of the national team.”

Ganesh, who played club cricket at domestic side Karnataka, is an ex-Indian international with more than 20 years of experience in coaching at various levels in India.

As per his resume, Ganesh, a renowned fast-bowler, served as head coach of Goa cricket team in three stints - (2006-2009, 2013-2014, and 2019-2020.

The 51-year-old has also coached English sides Lincolnshire and Scunthorpe, and served as the head coach of KPL Franchise Shamanoor Davanagere Diamonds.

“With a proven track record of achievements including: leading his domestic teams to championships, developing young talent, and instilling a winning culture, we are confident that he is the right man to guide our team to new heights,” Patel added.

Ganesh, who once played in Nairobi in 1999 for Karnataka taking six wickets, will have no time to rest, as he is poised to embark on two upcoming international assignments for Kenya; the ICC Division 2 Challenge League in September, and the T20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers in October.

Speaking of his appointment, Ganesh said: “Huge thanks to Cricket Kenya for this opportunity. We have a huge task ahead, given that we only have less than three weeks left until the games. The good thing is that around me is a good support staff that I will strive to work together with, and as a family.”

Asked about his major target, he added: “From what I have seen, Kenya are champions and I want to see us back at the World Cup. I have lots of confidence having been here and played against the players from the past. With focus on all technical aspects we will achieve our big goals.”

In the Challenge League, Kenya is set to face Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Denmark and Jersey.

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