Chandika Hathurusingha, The Coach who could have changed Sri Lanka Cricket forever

As Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha celebrating his 49th birthday today, Cricket Age congratulating him and remembering him as a Coach, who could have changed Sri Lanka cricket forever.

Till August 2010, Chandika Hathurusingha was Sri Lanka’s “shadow Coach”, but was cold shouldered and eventually unfairly sacked by by a controversial administration headed by DS De Silva.

He was dismissed following an inquiry that he had disobeyed an order given by the interim committee chairman during Sri Lanka’s tour of Zimbabwe.

Hathurusingha had returned home early to be with his family prior to undertaking a coaching assignment in Australia and his action had angered the SLC hierarchy.

Instead of leaving Hathurusingha’s decision to return home in the hands of the tour management committee the chairman had got involved in it rather unnecessarily and messed up the issue without giving thought to the mitigating circumstances and the immense contribution Hathurusingha has made to the success of the national team.

The SLC had even totally disregarded the appeal made by then captain Kumar Sangakkara on behalf of the team and dismissed Hathurusingha without even showing any leniency towards him.

At that particular time, Hathurusingha has not only been an integral part of the team but also figured strongly where strategy and planning is concerned. He was more or less the nerve centre of the team although many would not have known it because the job title given to him as ‘shadow coach’ doesn’t imply the importance of his role.

The players were started feeling comfortable with him, and a belief had insisted amongst players that under the coaching of Hathurusingha, not only they can achieve bigger success for Sri Lanka in world Cricket, but can also improve their own game and become like those legends, with whom they were sharing the dressing room.

And, perhaps more importantly, the captain of the team then, Legendary Kumar Sangakkara was also in praised of Hathurusingha.

Sangakkara, hailed as one of the greatest cricketing genius of modern era, actually pleaded to the Interim committee to give a second chance to Hathurusingha.

“It is my firm opinion that Chandika fully possesses the forward-thinking advanced coaching methods that we look for when appointing national level coaches. It was a refreshing change to see a local coach whose technical and strategic knowledge was second to none of the foreign coaches I have worked with before. His stint with the ‘A’ team was probably the most productive season in the team’s history. His no-nonsense approach and his local insight contributed to the success of that side in alien conditions like South Africa where they experienced unprecedented success. These performances and the feedback from the ‘A’ team players precipitated Murali and I after mutual discussions to request Chandika’s addition to the national coaching staff. The chairman of the interim committee with his experience and foresight graciously granted this request.”

“Since joining us Chandika’s contribution to our cause has been even more than we expected. I have experienced first-hand his expertise in batting technique. The bowlers have benefitted greatly from his sound technical advice” wrote Sangakkara.

But, perhaps, it was pre-planned to ouster Hathurusingha from Sri Lanka setup. He was sacked with two months’ salary. Eventually, he had to decide whether he is going to be a local coach or going away with the family.

He decided to go to Australia and follow passion, so without any pre-arranged job he migrated to Australia with young family. He briefly associated with NSW and then became the head coach of Bangladesh. Rest is history!

That’s how, stubborn and egoistic SLC, and it’s tendency to ignore their own talents, caused Sri Lanka a big loss.

At that time, when Legends like Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Tilakratne Dilshan were at the pick of their careers, and the next generation stars like Thisara Perera, Lahiru Thirimane and Dinesh Chandimal were knocking the door of the national team more frequently for a permanent place, with the guidance of Hathurusingha, the team could have been a World champion unit.

The main reason of india’s Historical win in the 2011 world cup, was that the senior and younger players of the team were united, helping each other, and believing in each other, under miraculous Coach Gary Kristen.

Sri Lanka, who eventually lost that 2011 world cup final against India, could have achieved the same glory, with Hathurusingha.

But, Sri Lanka not only lost the opportunity to win one or two world cup trophies with the sacking of Hathurusingha, but also lost the momentum to build a team for the future.

When young players comes, they need coaches like Gary Kristen and Hathurusingha. They needs a coach, who knows their strength, their weaknesses. They needs a coach, who is willing to understand them, to talk with them.

At that particular time, three younger players : Dinesh Chandimal, Thisara Perera and Lahiru Thirimane had needed someone like Hathurusingha, most.

But, unfortunately, it could not happen.

Seven years on, Dinesh Chandimal is still trying to survive, when players like Kane Williamson and Joe Root, who debuted after him, are considered modern day greats.

Thisara Perera, who could have been Sri Lanka Lance Klusener, still considered a bits and pieces player.

Lahiru Thirimane, whom even Sangakkara hailed as his successor, has thoroughly been destroyed and been thrown into wilderness.

This not means, by any sense, that the coaches who came after Hathurusingha, were less committed. But they all were professionals, at the time when youngsters like Chandimal, Thisara and Thirimane were looking for a AIYAA, who could have helped them to find their feet at international level.

More importantly, Hathurusingha proved that SLC lost a asset. He proved everyone wrong, who were responsible for his ouster, in order to fulfil their agendas.

As a head coach Hathurusingha did the same things with Bangladesh, which he couldn’t do with Sri Lanka. He changed the fortunes of Bangladesh cricket by transforming them from minnows to a top competitive team. Moreover, he instilled the belief in the Bangladeshi Cricket that they belongs to the top level, that they could compete any team in the world cricket. He injected fearless attitude within the players. He inspired them to achieve the glory for their country, and he inspired the young players like Tamim Iqbal and Mistafizur Rahman to become world class players.

Since he became Bangladesh Coach, his team had beaten Pakistan 3-0, India 2-1, South Africa 2-1, Zimbabwe 3-0, Afghanistan 2-1 at home. This year itself, they drawn the test, ODI and t20 series against Sri Lanka and just recently beaten Australia in a home test, first ever test win against aussies in their history!