Former Karnataka coach J Arunkumar becomes newly appointed coach of the national cricket team of USA.
J Arunkumar had been in Houston last month to meet the players, selectors, team management, and support staff of the USA team. Last Tuesday, USA Cricket confirmed that J Arunkumar is now appointed as the new head coach of the USA national team.
As per USA Cricket CEO Iain Higgins, ‘I'm delighted to say we have reached an agreement that he will take up the role and be permanently based in the United States as and when his working visa has been obtained. Of course, the Covid-19 crisis has now presented some challenges around the scope of the role in the short/medium term, but we look forward to completing all of the arrangements and to welcoming him more formally in due course’.
Arunkumar has signed a two-year contract with USA Cricket. However, he’s still waiting for his working visa as it had been affected by the pandemic. The former Indian player was able to return to India before the lockdown. With that, he is yet to return to the USA to accomplish the job that he had signed up for.
Temporarily, Arunkumar started some virtual training to further prepare himself. With regards to the new job, he says, ‘I'm excited about taking up my first international assignment. I've always been up for challenges and this assignment gives me an opportunity to test myself against bigger and better teams. I'm looking forward to working with players to ensure there is an upward climb in USA cricket. My mission is to bring players from diverse cultures together and make sure they play quality cricket against better sides’.
Aside from being Karnataka’s former coach, Arunkumar has also coached the Kings XI Punjab in the IPL. He also experienced playing with the Royal Challengers Bangalore which he believes will hold him in a good place as a coach. To know more about the IPL where Arunkumar once played for, visit Betwala.
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