New York: The United States may have defeated former champion Pakistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup but there is a Hyderabad hand in the historic victory. Meet Vincent Vinay Kumar Dasari, who has worked with this determined bunch and built them into world beaters.
The Level ‘B’ certified coach from the National Cricket Academy-BCCI with an 18-year experience worked with an assorted American bunch as their Batting Coach, and punched big time. The team went through the grind during a camp in Bengaluru last year and won the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifying 1 tournament in Namibia.
Vincent, who played 33 Ranji Trophy matches for Andhra in the 1990s, was in fray to be the Head Coach and was the first to be interviewed before Australian international Stuart Law was commissioned for the job.
“I am so happy for the side, which is a blend of players of Indian, West Indian and Pakistani origins. They all mingled and gelled well on the ground,” Vincent, who is currently in the US on a visit, told this newspaper.
The secret of Team USA’s success is mental preparation. “During my stint, I had worked on the players’ mindset as much as their batting skills. I told them that they should not treat any team as a big side,” the 55-year-old informed.
One line Vincent told players that certainly had an impact was: “Don’t ever think that you are the underdogs, just fight it out.”
They did and slayed a Goliath on Thursday to become the toast of the nation and the talking point of cricket and the outside world.
Vincent does keep in touch with players. He congratulated Aaron Jones, who has been shining with the bat for the USA, on the big win. The explosive batsman replied with: “Thanks coach. All your hard work is paying off now.”
Speaking about the match, Vincent said: “When Saurabh Netravalkar was given the ball to bowl the Super Over, I knew getting 19 off him in an over would be very tough and that USA had the game in the bag.”
Software engineer Netravalkar, who was part of the Indian team that lost to Pakistan in the U-19 World Cup in 2010, avenged the defeat at the senior level 14 years later. Some code this.
