Former India pacer Dodda Ganesh, who played four Tests and one ODI, has been roped in as the new head coach of the Kenya cricket team.

Ganesh confirmed the development on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) as he wrote, “Privileged to be named the head coach of the Kenya cricket team.”

As of now, Dodda Ganesh has been appointed in the role for one-year. “My first vision is to qualify for the World Cup,” Ganesh was quoted as saying by Nation after being unveiled at the Sikh Union Club.

Kenya have appeared in four Cricket World Cups (1996, 1999, 2003 and 2011) and a T20 World Cup (2007). They caught everyone’s attention after reaching the semifinals of the 2023 World Cup in South Africa.

“Kenya participated in the World Cup in 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011. I saw the dedication and the hard work. I don’t know what happened between the 10 years to now, but I do not want to talk about history. Positively what I see is that Kenyans are champions,” Ganesh stated.

Kenya will take part in the ICC World Cup Challenge League in September at home. The tournament will also feature Papua New Guinea, Denmark, Kuwait, Jersey and Qatar.

“I’m a professional coach and before coming here, I went to YouTube to watch the bowlers and batsmen, and I can say that they are in good shape,” Ganesh said of his first assignment as Kenya coach.

Dodda Ganesh, 51, may not have got many opportunities to play for India, but he was a domestic stalwart.

The right-arm pacer 365 wickets for Karnataka in 104 First-Class matches at an average of 29.42, including 20 five-wicket hauls. He also picked up 128 scalps at 27.11 in 89 List A games.