Former Indian cricketer MV Narasimha Rao responsible for Ireland's Test status

In recent developments, Ireland received its Test status and there is an Indian connection responsible for ICC presenting Ireland its full membership. Its former Indian Test cricketer MV Narasimha Rao who has been closely associated with the development of Ireland cricket for a greater part of past three decades.

If we talk about India’s connect with Ireland receiving its Test status, one might easily think of the name of Shashank Manohar, who is the Chairman of International Cricket Council. Or the name of  Leo Varadkar, who is the Prime Minister of Ireland. But it is Rao, who has been involved in the development of cricket in Ireland for the past 26 years.

Rao’s role in development of cricket in Ireland

Rao migrated to Ireland in search of greener pastures in 1989 and pursued a cricketing career in the country. The Hyderabadi has also represented India in the late 70’s. Since he has migrated to Europe, Rao has taken up various jobs such as coach, academy director and is was instrumental in the creation of the Ireland’s domestic structure. He also represented Ireland in six official games.

Rao has trained almost all the core players in the Ireland cricket team such as skipper William Porterfield, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Ed Joyce, Tim Murtagh, Boyd Rankin, and Andrew McBrine. “It’s a dream come true, Almost all the current players have taken coaching from me,” said MV Narasimha Rao according to Mirror. “He is one of the unsung heroes of Ireland cricket,” said a senior official of Ireland cricket.

England is scheduled to play a Test match in 2o19. But it is expected that Ireland would play their first Test Match in Dublin, Ireland. With Ireland being granted the Test status, it would add a different dimension to Test cricket, with the swinging and seaming conditions of the country. Before they take on the formidable English side they would hope to gain some experience by playing other countries.