Dav Whatmore
Dav Whatmore. (Photo credit should read JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/Getty Images)

Dav Whatmore, known to give results with underachievers has done tremendous good to the Kerala side in his first assignment as a head coach. Whatmore guided Sri Lanka to their first-ever World Cup triumph way back in 1996, while he took Bangladesh to its first Test victory almost a decade later.

Kerala has done well so far under his guidance and has produced positive results. However, they may not have won trophies, Whatmore believes ‘this team can only get better from here.’

Sanju Samson hasn't realized his full potential yet feels Dav Whatmore
Image Credit: AP

Can only get better:

Kerala reached the quarterfinals on the Ranji Trophy, however, had a poor time the domestic T20 tournament. Further, they came back strong to play a good brand of cricket in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. According to Whatmore, Kerala had a mixed season and was pleased with the performance of the boys.

It’s a season that gave us mixed results,” Whatmore said to TOI. “In Ranji Trophy ,which is considered as the most prestigious domestic competition in India, we made it to the quarterfinals. The players put in their best and I was pleased with their performance. We were not good in the T20s but played much better in ODIs. So if can sum up the season in brief it will be like — very good, not so good and good again,” he added.

Talking about the mental strength of his boys, What more feels every team faces questions regarding mental strength.

Every team faces questions about mental strength. For me, they are an enthusiastic bunch of players who are willing to work hard. They achieved something they didn’t in almost a decade (reaching Ranji quarters). The players are talented and I feel this team can only get better from here,” Whatmore mentioned.

Sanju Samson hasn't realized his full potential yet feels Dav Whatmore
Image Credit: BCCI

Positive outcomes from this season:

Whatmore talked about a lot of positives that have come for Kerala from this season. Especially, he mentioned the bowling unit both spin and pace. He also welcomed Sanju Samson’s return to form.

Look, we have a good bowling unit, both seamers and spinners did well. The young spinners Sijomon Joseph and Akshay KC with experienced Jalaj Saxena formed a potent spin trio. I think Nidheesh MD was the most consistent of the seamers. Amongst the batsmen, it was a welcome return to form for Sanju Samson. Rohan Prem made some vital contributions while Jalaj Saxena’s allround skills fetched him three man-of-match awards,” Whatmore said.

Further, the veteran coach talked about three areas Kerala needs to improve in the coming seasons.

We tried different combinations for opening but somehow none of them were up to scratch. That is one area we need to patch up. In modern-day cricket, contributions from the lower-order can make a difference between winning and losing. So our lower-order needs to take more responsibility and score more runs. Ideally, I would like to have a good fast-bowling allrounder in the team, who can bat as well,” Whatmore added.

Related image

Samson is yet to realize his potential:

Talking about Basil Thampi and Sanju Samson, who are on the radar of national selectors, Dav feels Samson has not realized his full potential yet. Further, according to Whatmore, Thampi has the qualities to become a good bowler across the formats.

I think Sanju hasn’t realized his full potential yet. He is a wonderful talent and we are only going to see the best of him in the years to come. Right now, I think the national selectors are looking at Basil as a bowler for T2O’s which I think is right at the present moment. But I think he has all the right attributes to become a very good bowler across formats,” Whatmore stated.

In conclusion, Whatmore revealed that he would sit with Kerala officials to draw a map for the future of Kerala cricket.

Read More  RCB Playing 11 vs KKR- IPL 2024, Match 10

Further, here is the newsfeed:

Cricket Association of Bengal wants to host two Playoffs

Rashid Khan honored to be the top-ranked ODI and T20I bowler

Kings XI Punjab to make captaincy announcement today?

 

 

I am an accountant by qualification, my parents thought their obedient son would study further to become a CA, but I had other things in mind. An ardent Cricket fan is following his passion and making...