Asia Cup | Lalchand Rajput’s coaching journey comes a full circle as UAE squares off against India

For the past decade, coach Lalchand Rajput has taken on the task of helping less-fancied teams climb the ladder in international cricket. In 2016 and 2017, he oversaw Afghanistan’s progress just as it received full-member status. He also coached Zimbabwe from 2018 to 2022 before accepting his current assignment with the United Arab Emirates.

But it all began for Rajput at the highest level as manager of the Indian team that won the inaugural World T20 in 2007. When the UAE faces India in the Asia Cup on Wednesday, the 63-year-old will be up against his home country for the first time.

“India is my country. That feeling is obviously there,” Rajput gushed in a chat with The Hindu. “But this is a challenge for me. I have been coaching different countries and trying to take them to the next level. With Afghanistan, we got Test status. The UAE has qualified for the Asia Cup after 17 years. The main thing for us now is to qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup.”

Rajput’s stint with India in 2007-08 was just the beginning of the T20 wave. “Back then, there wasn’t much data analysis. But now, 18 years later, there is just so much information available on match-ups, strengths, power-hitting areas. T20 has become very technical,” he stated.

What is his advice to the UAE players ahead of the India clash? “I am on both sides,” he laughed.

“I have just told them to enjoy the moment. Don’t get overawed by the presence of the Indian players”.