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It’s a shame no Indian competent as national coach: Sangakkara

Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara said that foreign coaches may be convenient as they are not coloured in their views by local situations but it was a "shame" that no Indian was found competent to coach the world champions.

Its a shame no Indian competent as national coach: Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara the captain of Sri Lanka walks dejectedly after his sides six wicket defeat during the World Cup Final at Wankhede Stadium © Getty Images

New Delhi: May 2, 2011

 

Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara said that foreign coaches may be convenient as they are not coloured in their views by local situations but it was a “shame” that no Indian was found competent to coach the world champions.

 

Sangakkara expressed surprise that despite so many exceptional Indian cricketers around, the BCCI found no one competent and appointed a foreign coach after Gary Kirsten’s departure.

 

“From this part of the world having a local coach means the person comes in with a lot of baggage with past experiences that might colour his views on coaching and players in the particular side that he takes over. So sometimes having a foreign coach is convenient from these points of view,” he said.

 

“But having produced some many good cricketers in the region, it is a shame that no suitable candidate was found competent to take over the national side,” Sangakkara said.

 

Sri Lanka have had foreign coaches in the past and an Australian in Stuart Law is holding the job in interim capacity now after compatriot Trevor Bayliss left the job, but Sangakkara emphasised on the need for home grown coaches.

 

“It is important that home grown coaching ability and talent is exploited to the fullest like home grown playing talent and ability.

 

“In Sri Lanka we lost a great opportunity in Chandika Hathurusingha, who was capable enough to take over the national side. Unfortunately, we lost him to Australia,” Sangakkara said.

 

“Finding a No. 1 coach is the most difficult hurdle that any board would face. Those are difficult choices and from a Sri Lankan perspective everybody would like to have a Sri Lankan as the coach of the national team,” he told NDTV.

 

Indian legends Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev had criticised the BCCI appointing former Zimbabwe captain and England coach Duncan Fletcher for the top job of Indian cricket after Kirsten left the job following the World Cup triumph.

 

News © PTI

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