Dodda Ganesh named Kenyan men’s cricket team coach

Dodda Ganesh appointed head coach of Kenya men’s cricket team, aiming to qualify for T20 and ODI World Cups.

Former India and Karnataka pacer Dodda Ganesh, 51, on Wednesday confirmed he has been appointed as head coach of the Kenya men’s cricket team for a one-year term from August 13.

Speaking over phone from Nairobi, he thanked Cricket Kenya chairman Manoj Patel, former Kenya team analyst Thota Srinivas, and former Kenya captain Steve Tikolo.

“It goes back to the time when Karnataka toured Kenya in 2000. I played well that time. I think they liked the respect I showed for them. When this opportunity came up, I immediately took it up since I’ve always had a soft corner for Kenya,” he said.

Thanks to Brijesh

He expressed his immense gratitude to former India cricketer Brijesh Patel, who was the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) secretary at that time. “Because, the seed for the goodwill (with Kenya) was sown then (when he toured Kenya). After 24 years, it has helped me get this job.”

He added his goal is “to make Kenya qualify” for the T20 and ODI World Cups.

“I want to take them back to the era when they played well — 1996, 1999, 2003, that era,” he added.