Cricket Canada appoints Monty Desai as head coach to guide the men's team toward renewed success and stability.
Monty Desai has been named the new head coach of Canada’s men’s cricket team ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup cycle. The appointment comes as Cricket Canada seeks to rebuild its reputation after recent struggles on and off the field.
Desai brings experience leading Associate nations like Nepal and Afghanistan, where he helped develop structured, long-term programs to improve performance.
Canada’s 2024 T20 World Cup campaign ended in failure, with the team losing all four group-stage matches to Afghanistan, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UAE.
The tournament was further complicated by reports that the ICC’s anti-corruption unit was investigating potential misconduct in a match involving Canada, adding pressure to the team’s challenges.
Desai is seen as a leader who can instill belief and discipline in a rebuilding squad. He has taken on the role at a pivotal moment, with Cricket Canada hoping his experience will help restore confidence.
Desai, who has prior ties to Canadian cricket, acknowledged the difficulty of the task but expressed optimism about the team’s future.
He pointed to teams like Nepal and Afghanistan as examples of how Associate nations can rise through hard work and structure. Desai believes Canada has the potential to follow a similar path, turning raw talent into consistent performances on the global stage.
His focus will be on building a team culture that delivers results. Looking ahead, Desai’s leadership could mark a turning point for Canadian cricket.