Kenya proved the critics wrong: Patil

Getting Sandeep Patil, the coach of the Kenyan cricket team, over the phone after his team's victory against Sri Lanka on Monday was not an easy task. Immediately after the match, his mobile was switched off for over two hours.

However, Patil was finally located when he reached his hotel room in the evening. 

Asked how he felt on Kenya's victory, Patil said, “I am proud Kenya won. I am glad because Kenya proved all the critics wrong by defeating the former world champions.”

“I want to tell Navjot Singh Sidhu that he should restrain himself during commentary. He has always been saying that Kenya, Bangladesh and Holland are here in the World Cup just to hang around and not serious contenders. I hope our victory against Sri Lanka will make him rethink,” said Patil.

 “All the cricket writers and commentators termed Kenya as minnows. I hope that image will change now. Cricket is a funny game and anything can happen. One-day cricket specially is like a lottery and no team is as great as it is perceived to be. I want to tell to all the cricket writers and commentators that Kenya is also here to win and just not to play in the World cup,” said Patil.

“Bangladesh and Holland are also good teams but it is just that they are not clicking in the matches. So to call them minnows is incorrect,” said Patil.

Asked what he thought of Kenya making the Super Six stage, Patil said, “We have two matches to go and we will work hard to win. But this win has come as a morale booster.

“We needed a great effort to win this match. And, credit goes to all the players. We batted, fielded and bowled well. As a coach my job is restricted as ultimately the players have to perform on the field. I am glad they performed their best.”

Patil was also unhappy that New Zealand did not play in Kenya despite a heavy security cover promised by the home team.

So what were his plans after the match, “It's party time for me now. The Kenyan cricket board has organized a party and I am just leaving to attend that,” he Patil.

When asked to comment about India's disastrous performance against Australia, Patil said, “It is not my problem. It is John Wright's problem.”

He refused to comment on India's chances in the World Cup.