Karnataka’s seasoned coach P.V. Shashikanth has moved on to Tripura as its head coach for the upcoming domestic season. Shashikanth, who was at the helm of the Karnataka senior men’s team for the past couple of years, has guided the team to the Ranji Trophy semifinal in the 2022-23 season. He is now looking forward to a new challenge with Tripura.
Confirming the development, Tripura Cricket Association (TCA) secretary Jayanta Dey said, “We have roped in Shashikanth as the head coach. We shortlisted a few candidates and he was best fit for the job…”
Shashikant is known for his positive approach and belief in instilling self-belief among his players. “As a professional coach, your job is to get the best out of the players and I always believe in having a positive approach and I would like to instil that self-belief among the players in Tripura and together we will thrive for success,” Shashikanth told Sportstar.
Having worked with several cricketers throughout his career, the 58-year-old believes that with the right balance, Tripura can be a force to reckon with. With Wriddhiman Saha and Sudip Chatterjee shifting to Bengal, the TCA has roped in Mandeep Singh and Jiwanjot Singh as professional players and is also searching for a specialist wicketkeeper-batter. Shashikant points to the recent Sri Lankan team’s victory over India as an example of how belief and balance can lead to success, even against stronger opponents. “Look at the way the Sri Lankan team won the ODI series against India. On paper, they were no match to the Indian team, but they backed themselves and went on to create history. So, in cricket, you need to rally around and keep the balance right and if we can do that, Tripura can be a force to reckon with,” Shashikanth said.
Meanwhile, Connor Williams, former Baroda cricketer and former chairman of the national junior selection committee, is set to continue as the head coach of the Manipur senior men’s team. While a formal announcement is expected in a few days, sources have confirmed to Sportstar that the 51-year-old will be re-appointed for another season. Williams’s continued leadership will aim to build upon the team’s progress in the upcoming season.
