Cricket Kenya has parted ways with Dodda Ganesh, the men’s national team head coach, just one month after his appointment, according to reports. Ganesh, a former Indian fast bowler with international experience, was brought on board on August 14 with hopes of stabilizing a team in transition. During his playing career, he represented Karnataka at the domestic level and played four Tests and one ODI for India. His appointment came after Lameck Onyango’s stint as interim head coach, and Onyango, along with coaches Joseph Angara and Joseph Asichi, remained as part of Ganesh’s coaching staff.
Despite the expectations surrounding his leadership, Cricket Kenya unexpectedly relieved Ganesh of his duties, cutting short his tenure just 30 days after taking charge. According to a report by Nation.Africa, a letter was sent to Ganesh, saying that the executive board had declined to ratify his appointment as the head coach of the national team for want of following established procedures.
“Under a resolution of the executive board of Cricket Kenya passed on Wednesday, 28 August 2024, and anchored under inter alia Articles 5.9 and 8.4.3 of the Cricket Kenya Constitution, we wish to notify you that the executive board has declined to ratify your appointment as head coach of the men’s cricket national team for want of following established procedures.”
“Voided the purported contract made on August 7, 2024 between Mr Manoj Patel and yourself. Pursuant to the above, Cricket Kenya is not and shall not be bound by the said purported contract.”
“You are therefore directed to cease any further engagement or dealings with the men’s national cricket team with immediate effect. Any concerns or claims relating to this notice should be channeled to Mr Manoj Patel and any other individuals who irregularly and unprocedurally engaged you in this respect.”
The decision to dismiss Dodda Ganesh was communicated in a letter signed by Pearlyne Omami, Cricket Kenya’s Director of Women’s Cricket, on behalf of the board. The exact reasons or procedural violations leading to Ganesh’s removal remain unclear, but this move has abruptly halted his plans to guide Kenya back into the ODI and T20I World Cups.
With Ganesh’s departure, Lameck Onyango and Joseph Angara have been reinstated as interim head coach and assistant coach, respectively. Their immediate task will be to lead Kenya through the ICC Division 2 Challenge League, where the team faces tough competition from Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Jersey, and Denmark.
