Monty Desai has been removed from his position as the head coach of the Canada cricket team. He confirmed his departure through social media and expressed his gratitude. Canada had appointed Desai as head coach for the second time in May, but with four matches remaining in League 2, the team currently trails the top four by six points.
Desai is also a former head coach of the Nepal cricket team. He led Nepal during two tri-series tournaments held at home and in Scotland as part of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2. With four matches left in League 2, Canada’s position six points behind the top four puts the team in a situation where it must compete in the World Cup Qualifier Play-off to vie for a spot in the 2027 One Day International World Cup.
In his social media farewell, Desai described his tenure as brief but meaningful. He stated, “It was a short chapter but very significant. My belief that sustainable success is built over time through trust, preparation, strong relationships, and collective responsibility has only grown stronger. I thank the players, support staff, and everyone who accompanied me on this journey.”
Desai brings over two decades of international coaching experience. He has previously coached the national teams of the UAE, Afghanistan, Nepal, and Canada. His tenure in Nepal is regarded as exceptional, during which time Nepal made a historic comeback in the Cricket World Cup League 2 and secured qualification for the One Day International World Cup qualifiers. He also led Nepal as head coach during the 2024 T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, Cricket Canada announced a call for applications for the coaching position five days ago, on August 15.
