Hathuru is not emotional about Bangladesh
Chandika Hathurusingha resigned as the head coach of Bangladesh national cricket team in
November 2017. Although it was supposed that he left the job due to a
humiliating tour of South Africa, later it became clear that the Sri Lankan
got an offer from his indigenous cricket board. The current Sri Lankan head
coach attended a press conference recently and discussed few things.
“I am thrilled to be back in Bangladesh. I am looking
forward to the series. I am excited by the new challenge. At the same time, I
am thrilled by the set of skills that the new team and this team have. We have
taken good preparations in our country. We have room for improvement. I am
excited by that as well.
“For us the series will be challenging. Bangladesh is tough
opponent in their home conditions,” Hathuru said.
He lauded the Bangladesh team for their performance in the
ODIs in recent times. He said, “Bangladesh are strong at home. We haven’t lost
any series but one [in Bangladesh] in the last two and a half years. By ‘we’ I
mean the Bangladesh team. They have been very good in ODIs. They are well aware
of their duties and the game strategies. From that aspect, it is very
challenging for the opponents to play here.”
When asked if Hathuru left Bangladesh in any trouble
due to his sudden departure, Hathuru replied, “I don’t think so. Otherwise I
wouldn’t leave.”
While talking about the ‘emotional journey’ the coach
stated, “From the three and a half years I spent here, it is clear that I am
not an emotional person. But I still want Bangladesh to do well. My good wishes
for the cricketers. I was very close to them, we knew each other very well. I
want them to achieve more success. At the same time, at my current position, I
want Sri Lanka to perform well.”
Hathurusingha does not believe that he will have an upper
hand due to his knowledge about the Tigers. According to him, the Bangladeshi players know about his strategies as well.
“I don’t think so. It is not very tough to gather
information in this era. The domestic T20s have made it easier. Many Sri Lankan
cricketers play there too. They all know each other very well. Enough
information can be collected without difficulty. So there are not much
advantages. Bangladeshi cricketers also know how I plan, what are my judgments.
From that point of view, there are no advantages,” he said.
Hathuru was also asked about his reaction on the exclusion
of Soumya Sarkar and Taskin Ahmed from the national team. These two players
were regular in the team during Hathuru’s period.
“Bangladesh team do not consist of one or two players. There
are many fine cricketers as well. They can perform without 5 players. There was
no such player as my ‘favorite’. Whoever performs, becomes my favorite. This is
how I look at things. Bangladesh is not a team of one or two players. There are
obviously important cricketers but that doesn’t mean one or two player would
represent the whole team.” Hathurusingha concluded.
