USA national men's team parts ways with coach J Arunkumar after nearly three years

Former Karnataka captain J Arunkumar’s term as the head coach of the USA  men’s cricket team has come to an end after nearly three years in service. The decision has been reportedly taken by the US cricket board after they decided not to renew the ex-Indian domestic cricketer’s contract.

Arunkumar, who was brought on board in early 2020, had to wait for over a year to take charge as coach due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ever since he officially took over as the head coach, the USA team witnessed both highs and lows during his tenure.

The USA did manage to beat the experienced Ireland in a home T20I series in December last year as the series was leveled at 1-1, but their inability to qualify for this year’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia left the selectors and the administrators disappointed which could have eventually led to Arunkumar’s ouster from the coaching position.

I will leave with plenty of fond memories: J Arunkumar

"I am very thankful for my time as head coach of the USA Men's National Team and will leave with plenty of fond memories from nearly three years in charge," said Arunkumar in a statement that the board issued as quoted by ESPN cricinfo.

"I am pleased with the individual and collective progress of the team throughout my time but also disappointed that we couldn't quite take our opportunities to qualify for a World Cup for the first time or perform more consistently in Cricket World Cup League 2,” he added.

J Arunkumar had replaced James Pamment who had then served as the interim coach of the USA national cricket team. The former Ranji player had reportedly applied for this job through the USA Cricket’s website in February 2020.The report also adds that Arunkumar was offered the job within a week after the interview process.

As far as Arunkumar’s professional cricketing career is concerned, he has amassed 7208 first-class runs. His playing career spanned for over 15 years. He then decided to make a mark in coaching in 2012. Under his guidance, Karnataka bagged all three major titles in Indian domestic cricket- The Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup and the Vijay Hazare Trophy for two consecutive seasons in 2013/14 and 2014/15.