“We are not worried about the final. Whoever our opponent is, we hope to give our best and clinch the title for the third time in a row,” said Jaffna Kings Head Coach Thilina Kandamby in an exclusive interview with the Daily News yesterday.
“All the pressure will be on the team to win the final because they have been the best team and are ready to face the challenge. Especially In T20 cricket, the players have to avoid making as few mistakes as possible, and we made plans. It’s just how we execute them,” said Kandamby.
Assistant Coach Mario Villavarayan, Batting Coach Jehan Mubarak, Fielding Coach Sachith Pathirana, Spin Coach Vimukthi Deshapriya, as well as the team Physiotherapist, are all doing a tremendous job in achieving the Jaffna team’s success.
“Our Manager is handling the team very well, and our sponsor Lyca Mobile encourages us, but they never interfere with our team selection process,” said Kandamby.
“The role of a head coach is a huge responsibility, but my decisions have not been single-minded. Me and skipper Thisara Perera are responsible for the final team selection. The captain’s choice is the “Biggest Priority”, and both of us will finalise the final eleven,” said Kandamby.
“The three venues: Hambantota, Pallekele, and R. Premadasa stadiums are different from each other. In one match, we scored 240 runs at Pallekele, but the following day, at the same venue, we had to manage with 147. That’s the difference with this weather, but our players have to adjust as professionals,” he said.
“As a coach, my personal goal is to be the Head Coach of the National team. But I joined the Sri Lanka Cricket coaching staff very recently and wanted to get more experience. I still got one chance to coach the Abu Dhabi franchise team as a last-minute replacement, but I would like to get more exposure from the overseas franchise team coaching role,” he added.
Friday, December 23, 2022 – 01:00
