INTERVIEW
Pubudu Dassanayake (R) has now been appointed for his second stint as the USA men’s team head coach © Agencies
Former Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Pubudu Dassanayake has been reappointed as the head coach of the USA men’s cricket team. This marks his second term, having previously served from 2016 to 2019. At 54 years old, Dassanayake is a well-known figure in associate cricket coaching, having led teams like Canada and Nepal. His most recent role was with Canada, where he started in July 2022, leading up to the T20 World Cup in July 2024.
According to USA Cricket, the search for a coach aimed at finding someone who could align with the team’s current needs and future goals, including the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2026 and the ODI World Cup in 2027. It was crucial to identify a coach who could become effective quickly and contribute to the team’s ongoing development.
USA Cricket CEO Johnathan Atkeison praised Dassanayake for his remarkable expertise in associate cricket, his familiarity with American cricket culture, and his history of fostering successful teams, making him an ideal candidate to advance the USA men’s team.
With an extensive background, Dassanayake has helped the USA achieve ODI status for the first time in 2019 and aided Canada in regaining theirs in 2023. He also led Canada during their World Cup appearance in 2011 and Nepal during their debut at the T20 World Cup in 2014 following intense qualifying rounds.
The landscape of cricket in the USA has significantly evolved since Dassanayake’s last tenure. His exit coincided with the rise of Major League Cricket, which has transformed the environment through increased investments in domestic competitions and infrastructure. The current player roster now features a mix of international veterans and promising local talents.
Dassanayake looks forward to reconnecting with trusted players like captain Monank Patel and vice-captain Jasdeep Singh. He acknowledged their contributions and voiced his commitment to nurturing leadership within the team while fostering a transparent selection system focused on performance, work ethic, and talent acquisition from various cricketing pathways, including Minor League and Major League Cricket.
