I throw them in the deep end: Lalchand Rajput’s fearless coaching fuels UAE’s historic win

Dubai: Lalchand Rajput isn’t a coach who wraps his players in cotton wool. “You can only test a player when he’s under pressure — so I throw them in the deep end and see who surfaces,” he says, matter-of-factly. On Sunday night, five UAE debutants got their shot — and at least a couple swam.

The result? A historic T20I series win against Bangladesh — and a fifth trophy for Rajput since taking charge last year.

For the former India opener, it was the crowning moment of his UAE tenure so far.

“Beating a Test-playing nation like Bangladesh is a great feeling,” Rajput told Gulf News after the win. “They’re a well-ranked side in the ICC standings. But more than that, I think this result shows that our players now believe in themselves — that they can win against any opposition. That mental shift is everything.”

The 2-1 series win capped what has been a remarkable run for Rajput since he took over the senior men’s team. In just over a year, he has guided UAE to five series wins — but this one, he admits, is the “crowning moment”.

A belief built in battles

Rajput’s UAE side had already shown flashes of potential — winning six straight games in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier B in Qatar, and picking up wins over New Zealand, Afghanistan and West Indies in the past year. But against Bangladesh, it all came together.

“It was a tense game, and I give full credit to the players for showing that belief till the end,” Rajput said. “Even in the first game of the series we had chances, but couldn’t finish it. This time, the boys held their nerve.”

They certainly did. After Bangladesh posted 162 for nine, UAE overhauled the target with ease — romping to a seven-wicket win in the third Twenty20 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, sparking wild celebrations. Haider Ali and Alishan Sharafu were the key architects of the win, but the coach felt it was a total team effort.

Senior hands, young shoulders

For Rajput, the blend of youth and experience is finally clicking. “When I came in, there were only a set number of players in the mix,” he said. “I wanted a larger pool — no player should feel their spot is guaranteed. So we threw a few into the deep end. That’s how you learn who can handle pressure.”

Five debutants featured in the Bangladesh series — Haider Ali, Matiullah Khan, Muhammad Zohaib, Saghir Khan and Ethan D’Souza.

“The hunger to perform was there,” Rajput said. “Some of them grabbed their opportunity with both hands.”

That mix of fresh faces and senior figures like Muhammad Waseem and Asif Khan made the difference.

“Everyone knows Alishan was a striker, who loved hitting in the air,” Rajput said. “But in the last few months, he’s shown maturity. I told him: if you get set, finish the game. That’s what senior players are for — to take responsibility.”

Sharafu did just that — guiding UAE through a tricky phase after Waseem’s dismissal and staying till the end.

‘We don’t give up till the last ball’

UAE’s mental approach, Rajput says, has been the biggest transformation.

“We don’t give it up till the end,” he said. “That’s something we’ve tried to instill across formats. You fight till the last ball.”

That mentality helped them bounce back after a disappointing run in the 50-over Cricket World Cup League 2 campaign. While T20 remains their strongest format, Rajput believes the mindset shift can carry over.

“Winning brings plenty of confidence to players, so my motto is to win consistently. And to achieve that, you need consistent performance,” he said.

What’s next?

Plenty of cricket lies ahead for UAE. A break now gives the squad time to recharge before a packed second half of the year that includes the Asia Cup in September, the Cricket World Cup League 2 qualifiers, and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers.

UAE will face Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Qatar and Samoa for three spots at the main event in India and Sri Lanka.

“We want to carry this winning momentum forward,” Rajput said. “We’ve built a strong squad of around 25 players now. The real challenge is consistency. But with the belief we’ve shown — I think we’re on the right track.”

And while the opposition might not get easier, Rajput won’t be changing his approach. “If you want to know who’s ready,” he says again, “you throw them in the deep end.”