Uganda cricket is a baby, needs time to walk on its feet: Coach Abhay Sharma

Former India cricket team fielding coach Abhay Sharma, who also served as fielding coach of India under-19s and India A under Rahul Dravid, has been appointed as the national coach of Uganda cricket team for three years, including the upcoming T20 World Cup to be played in the West Indies and USA in June.

The 54-year-old, who played first-class cricket for Railways and Delhi as a wicketkeeper-batsman, also served as fielding coach of Indian women’s cricket team and Head Coach of Delhi Ranji Trophy team in the Indian domestic cricket set-up. He has also coached the Railways Ranji Trophy team in the past.

“It has been lovely being here. I have been here for just the last two days. [But] It is giving me a feeling that I am at home. To be honest, people are so nice and so friendly, always there to help me. It is a lovely start,” said Sharma in an interview to the NBS news channel of Uganda before flying off to Sri Lanka.

Sharma replaces Laurence Mahatlane, who served as Uganda coach in the lead-up to the qualification.  

Uganda team media manager Innocent Ndawula said, “Sharma has a huge reputation and it precedes the man that he is. He looks to be a baby face but I tell you he is one gallant coach who is going to strive for success in every true meaning of the phrase.”

Sharma said that he is not new to the African continent having toured South Africa and Zimbabwe before but it is a fresh challenge to guide a young team like Uganda.  

“I have travelled to South Africa and Zimbabwe. But looking at the cricket map, Uganda is one nation that is coming up. So that is what excited me. I should start my new journey [with Uganda] because I am a sort of a person who likes to take new challenges. It is a new challenge as Ugandan cricket is coming up and trying to make a mark in world cricket. This is a challenge for Ugandan cricket, and me also to get along with the cricketers and the new set-up and try and make a difference and good development for younger cricketers,” said Sharma.

He added that he will take the tenure phase by phase.

“Basically I am a man who wants to break down the whole tenure. If I look at the shorter terms, then there is no point. It is always better to break it into pieces. First of all, we are going to Sri Lanka for preparation (15 days). From there, we are coming back to Uganda for the preparation of the World Cup. We are really looking forward to having good preparation and processes in place to make an impact in the World Cup. We have to be very, very realistic to understand that we are a new nation. I will be very honest,” he added.

Sharma added that he doesn’t want to put pressure on the young team.  

“World Cricket is going very fast. The powerhouses like Australia, England and India and others that have already developed. We are developing. So we have to be realistic to our cricketers, so we don’t put extra pressure on them to produce results. Definitely, Uganda cricket will produce results but it will take time. Because it is a baby. It needs time to walk on its feet. But what I have seen in the fielding sessions and in the batting sessions, there is a lot of talent and we need to refine that talent into good cricketers.”

Cricket, Uganda, T20 World Cup, Abhay Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rahul Dravid