‘Strict’ but Successful Headmaster Returns

|| CF DESK ||

Bangladesh’s ‘Strict’ but ‘Successful’ coach Chandika Hathurusingha is coming back after exactly 5 years and 4 months, with hope to lead the Tigers roar again in a consistent manner in all three formats of Cricket.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed in a media release yesterday [31^st January,2023] that Hathurusingha had reached a two-year deal and would begin his second tenure with the Tigers from February.

The Sri Lankan was the head coach of the Bangladesh team after taking charge on June 10, 2014 until October 2017. The news of Hathurusingha's return, who was a controversial bloke, has once again became the talk of the town.

Hathurusingha was successful as the coach of the Bangladesh team in the first phase on paper. Under his guidance the red and green team won six out of 21 Tests, 25 out of 52 ODIs and 10 out of 29 T20Is. Series wins in Tests, ODIs and T20s are 1, 6 and 1 respectively.

The 54-years old coach first time took charge of Bangladesh cricket at a time of turmoil.

After he took charge, Bangladesh won six consecutive ODI series from 2014 to 2016, including against Pakistan, India and South Africa. In 2017, Bangladesh reached the Champions Trophy final under him. During his time, Bangladesh won Tests against England, Australia and Sri Lanka.

But to attribute these successes to Hathurusingha alone would be unfair to others.

Cricketers like Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah spent their golden times with Soumya Sarkar and Musfafizur Rahman, who were rising stars back then. Hathurusingha certainly had a role behind the achievements but the cricketers had to do the real work on the field.

Cricketers, selectors, cricket board – the Lankan did not have a good understanding with anyone in his first term as the coach of Bangladesh.

There was news of dissension and discontent among the senior players when Hathurusingha wanted to treat players in the same line but later it was somehow ended disliking some of them.

The selectors' working relationship with Hathurusingha also was not that much comfortable. Rather, there were complaints from the selectors against Hathurusingha, who became part of the team selection process and interfered on big calls.

Despite all of these, the former assistant coach for New South Wales was the favorite of the board VIPs for his overall results and that’s why he came back for his second stint.

Taking over the national team again raises questions of how fruitful the latest journey will be, especially as many of the national team stars from his era have retired from one format or the other.

However, BCB president Nazmul Hasan Papon said that Hathurusingha reappointment was welcomed by senior cricketers, including Mashrafe, Shakib, and Tamim.

The BCB was looking for an assistant coach to help Hathurusingha split the workload, according to BCB boss.

By the 20th of February, Hathurusingha is expected to arrive, and his first task will be the domestic white-ball series against England, which will include three ODIs and as many T20Is, beginning on March 1st.