Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha is the man responsible for the team’s outstanding success in the 2015 cricket World Cup. The 46-year old not only guided his side to the quarter-final for the first time in the country’s history, he also promoted Mahmudullah up the batting order. The rest, as they say, is history as the right-handed batsman emerged as the Tigers’ highest run-scorer in the flagship event.
The former Sri Lankan cricketer is now in Sydney spending time with his family but before departing from Melbourne, he had a brief conversation with the Bangladeshi journalists at a coffee shop yesterday. Here are the excerpts:
Bangladesh were going through tough times when you were named the head coach. What were your plans for the World Cup and what was your approach heading into the tournament?
I have observed the team during the India series and found out the areas I needed to work on. And in the West Indies we had to play without Shakib [al Hasan] but I had chalked out the plan for the future. I observed the players’ mental strength and after returning to Bangladesh, Dr Phil Jauncey, the psychologist, was included. I have already worked with him. He rectified the personality and the mentality of the cricketers. And then we got to know what are the areas we need to work on.
Which quality or aspect of the cricketers impressed you the most?
I liked their skill as the players are very talented. They just needed to improve their mental strength. And they have started to implement the game plans in the World Cup and I think they did not had that belief earlier. Now, the boys have started to believe in themselves and once you start to believe, it will work as they did in the World Cup.
Previously, more often than not, the cricketers were unable to follow up a victory with another win. Now that it has changed, what do you think has brought about this alteration?
Either you win or lose, that’s not important. The main thing is the belief of what are your limits and how you can execute those. And, I have made some changes which has been criticised but I know what I have done. Although it will take time but the cricketers are learning very fast.
How challenging was it to shift Mahmudullah from number seven to four?
We had the belief that he has the ability and I think it was the weight of his talent when he was batting at number seven. Mushfiq[ur Rahim] used to bat at number four and he is my best player and he is the unsung hero of this World Cup for Bangladesh. We lost few wickets upfront and I realised that our middle order needed to play well. And, what I explained to the cricketers, they realised it and took the challenge pretty well. Our team have the number one all-rounder but we played as a team and I think we are going in the right direction.
Say something about Soumya Sarkar, the new star of Bangladesh cricket.
I think Soumya, he is the best young talented cricketer of this team and I am not talking about the established cricketers. He is the best among the young players and we need to take good care of him as we can’t discourage him if he does not play well for a few matches.
You can take the example of Steven Smith who was out of the side for three years but now he is the best batsman of the Australian side.
Your thoughts on the Bangladesh opening pair which failed to spark in the World Cup.
It’s difficult to face the new balls in the conditions like Australia and New Zealand but we have done well from number three. I think Tamim [Iqbal] was more disappointed than any other but his 95-run knock against Scotland was vital for us to chase down the 300 plus target. Like him I am also disappointed over his performance and we need to work with him.
The fast bowling department looked promising, didn’t it?
Our strength is the spin department and which team we are playing against, that’s important. If the spin works then we will choose the spinners. As they have done well here doesn’t mean they will be the automatic choice and I told them not to get satisfied as they have to perform in every game.
How did Mashrafe bin Mortaza fare as captain?
He has done a tremendous job as he is a leader. He has set the example of a perfect leader. I think he means a lot to the cricketers and he has taken out the best from the cricketers and he is one of the best leaders in world cricket at the moment.
Do you think the coach should have a role in team selection?
It depends on the board. Australia already started to do that as Darren Lehmann is involved in team selection and the coach of New Zealand (Mike Hesson) also selects the side and they have only one selector (Bruce Edgar). I think it depends on the success to start the tradition.
What is your expectation on the upcoming Pakistan series at home?
We never played without high ambitions but Pakistan are a strong team in the subcontinent. But, I believe there are strong chances to put up a good show after the successful World Cup as the players are in good form and I think we can play well.