BCB Terminates Chandika Hathurusinghe as Bangladesh Head Coach for Misconduct

BCB Terminates Chandika Hathurusinghe as Bangladesh Head Coach for Misconduct

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Terminates Chandika Hathurusinghe as Head Coach

Two days after suspending Chandika Hathurusinghe, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has terminated his contract as the national team’s head coach. The decision was made on the grounds of misconduct and breach of employment terms.

BCB President Faruque Ahmed revealed that Hathurusinghe had assaulted a Bangladesh cricketer and taken more leaves than stipulated in his contract. The board issued a show-cause notice to Hathurusinghe, seeking an explanation for these alleged offenses.

Hathurusinghe responded to the notice, prompting an emergency board meeting to review the situation. After careful consideration, the BCB deemed Hathurusinghe’s explanation unsatisfactory and unacceptable, finding his actions consistent with misconduct and dereliction of duty.

“His termination comes into immediate effect,” a BCB release stated.

This marks the end of Hathurusinghe’s second stint as Bangladesh coach, despite his contract extending until January 2023. During this tenure, Bangladesh achieved a historic Test series victory in Pakistan. However, the team’s performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup were disappointing.

Phil Simmons has been appointed as the new head coach until the Champions Trophy in February 2025.

Mahela Jayawardene Returns as Mumbai Indians Head Coach

Mahela Jayawardene Returns as Mumbai Indians Head Coach

Mahela Jayawardene Returns as Mumbai Indians Head Coach

Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene has been reappointed as the head coach of the Mumbai Indians franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Jayawardene previously held the position from 2017 to 2022, leading the team to three IPL titles.

After stepping down as head coach, Jayawardene took on the role of Global Head of Cricket for the Mumbai Indians, overseeing the franchise’s cricketing operations across all levels. However, he has now returned to the helm of the IPL team, replacing Mark Boucher, who left the position after the 2023 season.

Jayawardene expressed his excitement about his return to the Mumbai Indians, saying, “My journey within the MI family has always been one of evolution. In 2017, the focus was on bringing together a talented group of individuals to play the best cricket ever and we did very well. Now to return, at the same moment in history, where we look ahead at the future and the opportunity to further strengthen the love of MI, build on the vision of the owners, and continue to add to the history of Mumbai Indians, is an exciting challenge I am looking forward to.”

Jayawardene’s return to the Mumbai Indians is expected to bring stability and experience to the franchise. He is known for his astute tactical acumen and ability to get the best out of his players. Under his leadership, the Mumbai Indians have consistently been one of the most successful teams in the IPL, winning the title in 2017, 2019, and 2020.

The Mumbai Indians will be hoping that Jayawardene can help them regain their dominance in the IPL. The team has struggled in recent seasons, failing to qualify for the playoffs in the last two editions. Jayawardene’s experience and leadership will be crucial in guiding the Mumbai Indians back to the top of the IPL standings.

Anthony McGrath Appointed Yorkshire Men's Head Coach

Anthony McGrath Appointed Yorkshire Men’s Head Coach

Yorkshire County Cricket Club has appointed Anthony McGrath as their new men’s head coach on a five-year deal. McGrath, a former England all-rounder and Yorkshire academy graduate, returns to his home county after a successful stint as director of cricket at Essex.

McGrath’s coaching career began at Yorkshire following his retirement in 2013. He then moved to Essex in 2014 as assistant coach to Chris Silverwood. Under McGrath’s guidance, Essex earned promotion to Division One in 2016 and won the County Championship title the following year.

When Silverwood left to become England head coach, McGrath was promoted to head coach. He led Essex to a Championship and T20 Blast double in 2019, followed by the Bob Willis Trophy in 2020. In the 2023 season, Essex finished second in Division One and were beaten finalists in the Blast.

McGrath inherits a Yorkshire team that has returned to Division One after relegation in 2022. The club was also docked 48 points in the 2023 season for its handling of the racism scandal involving former player Azeem Rafiq.

McGrath’s remit will be to improve the performance and management of the men’s first team. He will officially start his role on November 1.

“It is a great honor to be appointed Head Coach of Yorkshire Cricket’s Men’s team,” McGrath said. “I know the history of this great club and the passion of the members and supporters, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.”

Essex captain Tom Westley praised McGrath as “one of the most influential figures I have come across during my career.”

Yorkshire’s interim CEO, Sanjay Patel, said: “We’re delighted to appoint Anthony as Head Coach. During the past nine years with Essex, Anthony has proved himself to be one of the most exciting and successful coaches in English cricket.”

Sanath Jayasuriya Appointed Permanent Head Coach of Sri Lanka Men's Cricket Team

Sanath Jayasuriya Appointed Permanent Head Coach of Sri Lanka Men’s Cricket Team

Sanath Jayasuriya, the legendary Sri Lankan cricketer, has been appointed as the permanent head coach of the Sri Lankan men’s cricket team until the conclusion of the 2026 T20 World Cup. This decision comes after Jayasuriya’s impressive performance as interim coach since early July.

Under Jayasuriya’s guidance, Sri Lanka has achieved significant victories in recent months. They secured their first bilateral ODI series win against India in 27 years, defeated England in a Test match away from home for the first time in a decade, and whitewashed New Zealand 2-0 in home Tests. These results have boosted Sri Lanka’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final.

Sri Lanka Cricket’s Executive Committee stated that Jayasuriya’s appointment was based on the team’s strong performances under his interim leadership. This is Jayasuriya’s first major coaching role, and he has emphasized the importance of creating an environment where players feel free to express themselves.

Jayasuriya’s previous involvement with the Sri Lankan team was as chief selector, a position he held twice. However, he was banned for two years by the ICC for violating its anti-corruption code.

Jayasuriya’s first assignment as head coach will be the upcoming limited-overs matches against West Indies in Dambulla and Pallekele. The team will be looking to continue their winning ways under his leadership and secure a spot in the World Test Championship final.

Ashwin Praises Dravid and Gambhir's Passion for Indian Cricket

Ashwin Praises Dravid and Gambhir’s Passion for Indian Cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran Indian all-rounder, has heaped praise on Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir, the former and current head coaches of the Indian cricket team, respectively. Ashwin, who has played under both Dravid and Gambhir, believes that their passion for Indian cricket is “palpable.”

Dravid, who took over as head coach in 2021, guided India to its maiden ICC T20 World Cup title earlier this year. Under his leadership, India also achieved notable victories in Test series against England, Australia, and Bangladesh.

Gambhir, who succeeded Dravid as head coach in 2023, has had a mixed start to his tenure. India won the T20I series against Sri Lanka but suffered an unprecedented ODI series defeat to the same opposition. However, they bounced back to complete a Test series sweep over Bangladesh.

Ashwin, who has witnessed the transition from Dravid to Gambhir, believes that there is no significant difference in their approach or passion for Indian cricket. “I don’t see huge differences in how they approach the game or the passion they have for Indian cricket,” Ashwin said. “Their passion is at the highest level.”

Ashwin also praised Dravid and Gambhir for their knowledge and love for the game. “They bring an incredible amount of love to that dressing room,” he said. “To have them pass on their knowledge, it’s like having two cricketing geeks to talk cricket with.”

The new era of Indian cricket under Gambhir has begun with a mixed bag of results. India will now shift its focus to the T20I format for the three-match series against Bangladesh, followed by a three-match Test series against New Zealand.

Sanath Jayasuriya's Contract as Sri Lanka Head Coach Extended for a Year

Sanath Jayasuriya’s Contract as Sri Lanka Head Coach Extended for a Year

Sanath Jayasuriya’s remarkable success as Sri Lanka’s interim head coach has prompted Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to extend his contract for a year. Since taking over in July, Jayasuriya has guided the team to notable victories, including an ODI series win over India, a Test triumph at The Oval, and another Test victory against New Zealand in Galle.

Jayasuriya’s appointment as permanent head coach was initially uncertain, as SLC had advertised the position following Chris Silverwood’s departure. However, the team’s improved performances under Jayasuriya’s leadership have convinced SLC to offer him a longer-term contract.

“We are in the final stages of negotiating the contract with him,” said SLC CEO Ashley de Silva. “Probably in the next two or three days you will get to hear more.”

Jayasuriya’s initial role as cricket consultant, appointed in December 2022, was primarily focused on working with the High Performance Centre. However, he accompanied the team to the T20 World Cup and subsequently assumed the head coach position.

Under Jayasuriya’s guidance, Sri Lanka has also experienced setbacks, including a T20I series loss to India and two Test defeats in England. Nonetheless, the team’s overall progress has been significant, with a strong chance of qualifying for the World Test Championship final.

Jayasuriya’s contract extension will extend beyond the current World Test Championship cycle. Feedback from players has been overwhelmingly positive, with Angelo Mathews, the most experienced Test player, praising Jayasuriya’s leadership.

“Sanath Jayasuriya was superb as cricket director and now as coach,” said Mathews. “He communicates well and has given us a lot of freedom. We are all working towards one goal, and now everyone is on the same page. He’s also done a superb job grooming the players. He has been amazing. I wish him all the very best.”

Jayasuriya’s previous stints as chief selector were marked by mixed results. However, his current assignment has brought greater stability to the team.

Ricky Ponting Appointed Head Coach of Punjab Kings in IPL

Ricky Ponting Appointed Head Coach of Punjab Kings in IPL

Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian cricketer, has been appointed as the head coach of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Ponting’s appointment marks a significant change for PBKS, who have struggled to find consistency in recent seasons.

Ponting’s coaching journey in the IPL began with the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2008. He later joined the Mumbai Indians, where he led the team to their first IPL title in 2013. In 2018, he took over as head coach of the Delhi Capitals, guiding them to three consecutive playoff appearances.

Ponting’s primary task at PBKS will be to identify players for retention ahead of the upcoming season. The team has not qualified for the playoffs since 2014 and finished ninth in the 2024 IPL season.

Ponting acknowledged the pressure of winning a trophy as a coach but welcomed it. He said, “That is the thing that makes coaching inviting to me. I like having that pressure. It is as close to getting back to playing as you can possibly get.”

Reflecting on his IPL journey, Ponting called coaching MI an “awesome experience” and described the DC changing room as a “special place” despite not winning a trophy. He noted that coaching in the IPL has evolved and is now more specific, with teams covering every aspect by appointing specialized coaches.

Key performers for Punjab last season included Harshal Patel, who won the Purple Cap for the second time, and the uncapped Indian players Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma. The squad also includes talents like left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma, and leg-spinner Rahul Chahar. Notable overseas players in the team are England’s Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow, and South African pacer Kagiso Rabada.

With Shikhar Dhawan’s recent retirement, identifying a new captain will also be a priority for Ponting and the team management.

Dravid Backs Gambhir as India's New Head Coach

Dravid Backs Gambhir as India’s New Head Coach

Rahul Dravid Backs Gautam Gambhir as India’s New Head Coach

Former India head coach Rahul Dravid has expressed his confidence in Gautam Gambhir, who has taken over the reins of the national team. Dravid, who guided India to the T20 World Cup title in June, believes Gambhir’s experience as a player and coach will serve him well in his new role.

“He (Gambhir) has got a lot of experience, as a player also he has played a lot, he obviously coached quite a bit. I am sure he will be great,” said Dravid at the launch event of ‘Roombr,’ a ‘Digital Classroom’ provider.

Gambhir, a former opening batsman for India, commenced his coaching stint by leading the team on their tour of Sri Lanka in July and August. Under his guidance, the Indian team will embark on a busy Test season, starting with two matches against Bangladesh, followed by a series of three matches against New Zealand. The team will then travel to Australia for a five-match Test series.

Dravid, who coached India to the final of both the ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship, believes that Gambhir will bring his own unique experiences and knowledge to the team.

“In any situation everyone brings his own experience and knowledge to the table. I am sure the team will benefit from everything that Gautam brings to them with his team,” he added.

The Indian team, now led by Gambhir, will be looking to build on the success achieved under Dravid’s tenure. With a challenging Test season ahead, Gambhir will have the opportunity to prove his mettle as a coach and guide India to further glory.

Ricky Ponting Appointed Head Coach of Punjab Kings for IPL 2025

Ricky Ponting Appointed Head Coach of Punjab Kings for IPL 2025

Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian cricketer, has been appointed as the head coach of Punjab Kings (PBKS) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. This move comes after Ponting’s departure from Delhi Capitals (DC) in July 2024, where he served as head coach for seven years.

Ponting has signed a multi-year contract with PBKS, a franchise that has struggled to find success in recent seasons. He will be the sixth head coach in seven seasons for Punjab, who finished ninth in the 2024 IPL season.

Ponting’s immediate task will be to identify players to retain for the upcoming season, as the IPL is yet to finalize retention rules. Key performers for Punjab last season included Harshal Patel, Shashank Singh, and Ashutosh Sharma. The franchise also boasts a strong squad with Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Rahul Chahar, and overseas stars Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Johnny Bairstow, and Kagiso Rabada.

With Shikhar Dhawan recently retiring, Punjab will also be looking for a new captain. Ponting’s experience as a successful captain with the Australian national team and Mumbai Indians will be invaluable in this regard.

Ponting has been involved in the IPL since its inception in 2008, first as a player for Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians. He stepped down as Mumbai’s captain in 2013, paving the way for Rohit Sharma to take over. Mumbai won the title that year, with Ponting continuing in an advisory role in 2014 and serving as head coach for two seasons in 2015 and 2016.

In 2018, Ponting took charge as head coach of DC, leading them to the playoffs for three consecutive seasons between 2019 and 2021. DC also reached their first IPL final in 2020 under Ponting’s guidance.

Ponting’s appointment as PBKS head coach is a significant move for the franchise, as they look to turn their fortunes around and challenge for the IPL title. His experience, leadership, and tactical acumen will be crucial in helping Punjab achieve their goals.

Rahul Dravid Returns to Rajasthan Royals as Head Coach

Rahul Dravid Returns to Rajasthan Royals as Head Coach

Rahul Dravid’s tenure as the Indian cricket team head coach culminated in a triumphant note as India emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup 2024 under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. Dravid’s instrumental role in shaping the team’s success served as a fitting redemption after the heartbreak of the 2023 ODI World Cup final loss to Australia.

Post his tenure, Dravid’s name was associated with several Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, with speculations of him taking on a head coach or mentor role. However, the suspense ended with the announcement of his appointment as the head coach of Rajasthan Royals, a team he had been associated with from 2011 to 2015 as captain and mentor.

According to Cricbuzz, Dravid’s decision to return to Rajasthan Royals was driven by his deep connection with the franchise. Despite receiving lucrative offers from other teams, Dravid reportedly “turned down offers from high-profile franchises, even those virtually willing to hand him blank cheques.”

Dravid’s affinity for Rajasthan Royals dates back to 2011, when he was a marquee player with a base price of USD 400,000. It was widely anticipated that he would return to Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he had spent three seasons. However, RCB’s failure to bid for him left him at risk of going unsold.

In a dramatic turn of events, Rajasthan Royals made a late bid of USD 500,000 to acquire Dravid’s services. This marked the beginning of a strong relationship that saw Dravid captain the team for the next three seasons and serve as mentor from 2014 to 2015.

Dravid’s return to Rajasthan Royals is a testament to his loyalty and the deep bond he shares with the franchise. His experience and leadership will be invaluable to the team as they aim to replicate their past success in the upcoming IPL seasons.

Home
Shop
Wishlist0
Back to Top

Search For Products

Product has been added to your cart