KATHMANDU: Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has unveiled Monty Desai as the Head Coach of the men’s national team.
CAN officially unveil Desai as the Head Coach on Monday even though he has been training the Nepali team in the closed camp for the past nine days. CAN said it delayed Desai’s unveiling as it was yet to get approval from the National Sports Council and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The men’s cricket team had been without a head coach since Manoj Prabhakar’s resignation on December 15.
CAN opened a vacancy for the post on January 8. A total of 24 coaches applied for the post. CAN’s selection committee shortlisted five coaches – Dev Whatmore of Australia, Dhammika Prasad of Sri Lanka, Russel Craig Domingo of South Africa and Glenn Pocknall of New Zealand. Desai, who has worked as the batting coach of teams like Afghanistan, West Indies and United Arab Emirates, has previously worked as a batting consultant for Nepal’s men’s national team and youth team.
According to CAN, Desai has been appointed for a two-year term and the contract can be extended for the third year on mutual consent.
Desai has been handed the reins of the men’s national team at a time when the Nepali cricket team is passing through one of the most difficult times in its history. The cricketing scene is in the doldrums due to strings of poor results in the World Cricket League (WCL)-2, a rape case against captain Sandeep Lamichhane and spot-fixing allegations in Nepal T20 matches. Further, the CAN leadership is drawing flak for calling Lamichhane, who has been released on bail, to the national team.
The new head coach said he is aware that off-field things shouldn’t affect the dressing room. “I want to make the dressing room happy. I want to see the team united,” Desai said in the unveiling event.
‘No pressure to include Sandeep in the team’
Nepal has 12 matches of three series remaining in the WCL-2. It is hosting two of the remaining three series. The tri-series against Scotland and Namibia is beginning in Nepal later this month. The series will be Desai’s first test as the head coach.
CAN called 28 players for the closed camp training for the tri-series on January 27. Sandeep was not included in the team, but CAN allowed him to join the camp. Surprisingly, Sandeep made it to the 20-member shortlist.
The decision has invited criticism from all quarters. CAN received brickbats when its board meeting held in Pokhara on February 1 decided to lift the suspension on Sandeep. People took to the streets protesting CAN’s decision to include him in the national team even before the court had passed its verdict.
But CAN was unmoved. CAN has been saying that it hasn’t violated any law by including Sandeep in the team. CAN President Chatur Bahadur Chand also said the association hasn’t put any pressure on Desai to include Sandeep in the team. “It is for the selection committee and the head coach to decide. We haven’t put any pressure,” Chand said.
Desai said Sandeep has been included in the training after completing all the formalities. “I know cricket. Sandeep has been included in the team by fulfilling all the procedures. He is training every day. The team is getting shape,” Desai said without revealing whether Sandeep will make it to the team.
But Desai went on to say that he was happy to see Sandeep in the team and that he was showing his natural skills during training.
CAN hopeful of Desai’s long stay
Head coaches deserting the team midway has been the main problem of the Nepali cricket team in recent times. Desai is Nepal’s fourth head coach in less than one and half years. Whatmore resigned in September, 2021, while Pubuddu Dassanayake stepped down in July citing family reasons. Manoj Prabhakar exited the Nepali national team on December 15.
There are concerns about whether Desai will honor his contract. “I have signed a two-year contract with CAN. Extension for the third year can be done automatically. I am committed to honoring this contract,” he added.
National team manager Binod Das was optimistic about Desai’s long-term commitment to the national team. “Desai had pushed for a three-year contract. This shows he is committed to the Nepal job,” Das said. “The Nepali cricket will try to make the most of Desai’s presence. We two are also holding discussions about domestic cricket. Some new competitions can be created.”
Consistency is the goal
Like past head coaches, Desai heaped praises on the Nepali players. “They have the skills, they work hard. With the right planning and strategy, Nepal’s performance will improve,” he added.
According to Desai, his immediate objective will be to ensure consistent performance. “I will make long-term plans only after the cricket calendar is finalized,” Desai said. “I want to see a consistent performance in the ODI series. We also have to play in the Asia Cup.”
Nepal has played 24 matches in the WCL-2 and sits sixth in the table winning eight of them. Nepal must finish in the top five in the seven-nation league to retain its ODI status. As the chances of qualifying for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier by finishing in the top three are already over, Nepal’s focus is now on retaining the ODI status. For that, Nepal will have to win all its remaining matches.
Desai accepts that Nepali cricket is heading to uncertainty. “In one way, we don’t know what will happen. But we are excited. The journey ahead is challenging,” he added. “I am with this team for the past seven-eight days. I can say that the Nepali players are talented. We only need to be consistent.”
In the press meet, Desai said he has come to Nepal with emotion, passion and purpose. “Nepal may lack in resources, but the Nepali players are talented. I have watched the games of players like Paras Khadka, Shakti Gauchan and Basanta Regmi. Nepal doesn’t lack players and commitment.”
