Gondaria named Kenya captain for Rwanda IL T20

By Newsflash Reporter

Kenya has named a 14-member national men’s cricket team for the IL T20 Continental Cup 2026 in Rwanda, with Dhiren Gondaria as captain as the country returns to international competition.

The squad was unveiled on Friday, August 28, at Ruaraka Sports Club in Nairobi during a ceremony that also saw Cricket Kenya chairman Bhavesh Gohil and vice-chairperson Pearlyne Omamo hand over a new bowling machine to the national men’s team as part of efforts to strengthen preparations and player development

Gohil expressed confidence in the new board and its commitment to rebuilding the national team. Omamo said the board fully supported the team and praised the selection process for professionalism and transparency, saying better preparation should produce stronger performances too.

Kenya travels to Rwanda on Tuesday for the tournament, which runs from September 3-13. The team opens against Nigeria on September 3, with matches scheduled at Gahanga B Oval and Gahanga Main Oval.

Likavu gets another chance

The squad comprises Gondaria, Gurdeep Singh, Sukhdeep Singh, Sachin Gil, Rakep Patel, wicketkeeper-batsman Brian Likavu, Shem Ngoche, Francis Mutua, Lucas Danderson, Vishal But, Vishal Patel, Peter Koech, Nitish Hirani, Gerald Muthui and Rishabh Patel. Yash Talati and Thomas Ochang were named reserves.

Likavu is the only new face and hopes to make his long-awaited international debut. He said he had worked hard to regain his place and wanted to show what he could offer.

Selectors chairman Rikesh Hirani said the players must fight for Kenya and urged those selected and left out to continue working hard. He said selection considered discipline, fitness and performance, with selectors consulting coaches and the captain. The door remained open to players outside the squad as Cricket Kenya seeks a larger talent pool.

Hirani singled out Likavu as evidence of the federation’s willingness to give youngsters opportunities, encouraging emerging players to challenge established players for places.

Gondaria said the team was confident and prepared, promising maximum effort. He dismissed concerns about the squad’s relative youth, saying younger players were a positive development and urging senior members to build their confidence.

The captain said Kenya would approach the tournament one match at a time. He also cited strong batting performances while chasing targets in the team’s last five matches as a source of confidence. He said the Rwanda assignment was important because Kenya had not played such a long competition for some time.

Development director Thomas Odoyo said the machine would allow batsmen to face repeated deliveries, adapt to international pace and work on technique. He said Cricket Kenya’s previous bowling machines had broken down, leaving the federation without one for about four years.

Odoyo said the machine was only the beginning, with construction of a proper training surface the next priority. It can enable batsmen to face hundreds, potentially more than 1,000 balls, without fatigue associated with a human bowler, improving technique and consistency while simulating different deliveries.

Player welfare remain priority

Gohil said player welfare remained a priority four months after taking office. He said the federation had paid six months of salary arrears and was putting medical insurance cover in place. He added that 95 per cent of player contracts had been agreed and signed, with only two unresolved.

Players left out of the Rwanda squad will continue training with the wider national pool and remain eligible for future assignments. Gohil welcomed competition for places, saying a pool of 40 to 50 players would strengthen Kenyan cricket and give selectors more options.

He urged the team to raise Kenya’s flag high in Rwanda. Gondaria echoed the call, asking fans to keep faith with the team as it begins its campaign.

With experienced players and emerging talent, Kenya hopes to make a strong impression when the IL T20 Continental Cup begins on September 3.