Panaji: Former Goa Ranji Trophy team vice-captain Hemant Angle has rated his appointment as head coach of star-studded South Zone team as the ‘highest achievement’ of his coaching career. The veteran Goan coach has also revealed that Goa Ranji Trophy team captain Darshan Misal is very much a part of his plans for the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2023-24 campaign.
Angle has a host of India Test cricketers at his disposal in the South Zone squad, which is studded with talented upcoming players as well. The Margao-based cricketer-turned-coach shared his thoughts with www.thegoancricketer.com, saying: “I feel it is the highest achievement in my coaching career. I am happy that our team consists of international players, however, it shall make no difference in the team as these players regularly play against or with, in the Ranji format. For me too, it’s the same as they shall get no special treatment.”
Angle, who has formerly coached at the MS Dhoni Cricket Academy, acknowledged that Goa’s left-arm spinner and dashing batter Darshan Misal has a chance of making the team.
“Darshan has got his chance a bit late. However, he is the captain of the Goa team and has had a wonderful Ranji season. He is in good form. I shall look forward to playing him as a bowling all-rounder. It shall be a tough task, but then God is great and makes things happen; and if Darshan gets his chance, he should excel so that it should be proved that it was not a flash in the pan,” stated Angle, who feels that Goa and GCA should be proud of his appointment as it becomes clear that Goans are second to none.
Duleep Trophy will undergo a change in format this season and it cuts down the margin for error on all fronts. “This format is a do-or-die type…Now we do not have recovery time. We have to put our best foot forward without chances. Therefore, it would be a no-nonsense type of approach where the best performance shall be expected,” asserted the South Zone head coach.
