Reports: BCCI picks Sri Lanka's Nuwan Seneviratne as assistant fielding coach

Seneviratne, who is known for his strong throwing arms, scored 112 runs in two first-class matches with a fifty in four innings.

Published - 12 Sept 2018, 14:53 IST | Updated - 12 Sept 2018, 14:53 IST

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly picked former Sri Lankan cricketer Nuwan Seneviratne as Team India’s assistant fielding coach for the Asia Cup. The 38-year-old who is a regular feature on Sri Lanka Cricket’s coaching staff will be on a contract for the engagement in the UAE later this month. He has been appointed especially to assist the batsmen with throw downs.

Though he played just two first-class games in his brief cricket career in 2004, the former left-arm cricketer has been involved with Sri Lanka Cricket for near a decade. He has also served as the fielding coach of the island nation’s national cricket team on many occasions. His stint with the Sri Lankan board ended recently and he was seen practising with the Sri Lankan national side.

Indian fans not amused by Seneviratne’s pick

The news, however, did not amuse all Indian fans. Sri Lankan cricket writer Nibraz Ramzan on Monday tweeted the news and a few Indian fans mocked the BCCI’s decision to pick Seneviratne.

Team India ( @BCCI ) picks Srilanka’s Nuwan Seneviratne as their assistant fielding coach ahead of #AsiaCup2018 !! #Cricket pic.twitter.com/g10L7ZE5Rp
— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) September 10, 2018

What a proud moment for whole srilanka nation 😂😂
— karan gill (@Karangillaus) September 10, 2018

One more beggar coming to BCCI for work!
— Om Mehta (@om_mehta) September 10, 2018

I'm sure bcci can do better than this. This is just lol.
— reuben pinto (@allesterp) September 10, 2018

Seneviratne, who is known for his strong throwing arms, scored 112 runs in two first-class matches with a fifty in four innings. He played both games for Colombo Cricket Club and averages 37.33. The fast-medium bowler also bowled 144 balls, conceding 55 runs but didn’t get any wicket.

Former Indian first-class cricketer Ramakrishnan Sridhar is the fielding coach of the Indian side. India’s coaching unit led by head coach Ravi Shastri has come under pressure following the side’s disappointing 1-4 loss against England in the just-concluded five-Test series for this is the second consecutive overseas Test series that they have lost this year. India also lost their last ODI series 1-2 to England and the team’s supporting unit will have a task in their hand in the Asia Cup which features strong teams like Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

India will be led by Rohit Sharma in the tournament as regular captain Virat Kohli has been rested.