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I like the way Indian cricket is shaping up, says Gary Kirsten

Special Correspondent

— PHOTO: AFP

SETTING THE AGENDA: Gary Kirsten, who had a two-day meeting with the BCCI heads, also interacted with Anil Kumble.

Mumbai: Gary Kirsten will officially begin his assignment as coach of the Indian cricket team with a two-day workshop prior to the camp in preparation for the first Test against South Africa to be played at Chennai from March 26. The Indian team that will be picked for the first Test will assemble in Chennai for the camp.

Kirsten who had a meeting with the BCCI officials, Secretary Niranjan Shah and CAO Prof. Ratnakar Shetty at the Cricket Centre here on Tuesday and Wednesday, also had an opportunity to share his thoughts with Anil Kumble. The national selectors had appointed Kumble captain of the Test team for the four-Test series against Australia, but his presence here to chart plans for the three-Test series against South Africa is a clear indication that he will be retained captain at least till the away series in Sri Lanka.

The mental aspect

Kirsten had urged the BCCI to employ Paddy Upton, reported to be an expert in dealing with the mental aspect of the game. Just as Ian Frazer was employed at Greg Chappell’s recommendation, the BCCI may accede to Kirsten’s request.

“That’s one of the requests he (Kirsten) had made when he was awarded a two-year contract. The terms and conditions have to be discussed first before Upton’s case is considered,” said Prof. Shetty.

Kirsten said his primary objective would be to get the structure in place, and set some goals for the coming series. “I was with the team in Australia for three weeks and I certainly enjoyed the stay,” he said.

On sledging, he said: “We are in a professional set-up now. The stakes are high and it’s a no holds barred fight out there. There’s a lot of gamesmanship. But I think somewhere along the line there will be a high-level policy decision taken. I have experienced various styles of playing the game, but did not believe in sledging.

“But when the situations are different, emotions are high, everyone’s got a different opinion. I don’t know what the right way is. I think we must be careful because as far as I know, most teams sledge. We must not think that it’s just one country.

“So I have to be cautious about singling out any particular team. I know the South Africans were pretty good at it during my playing days.”

Kirsten said he was pleased with the way the Indian team was shaping up. “What I like about Indian cricket as a whole now — and especially about the young players — is that they are ready to accept the battle. They are ready to confront, whereas in the past they tended to back off.

“I am excited by some of these younger players coming through with a belief that they are ready for the international stage and to compete with the best of players.”

Smooth transition

With regard to the blend of senior and juniors in the team he said: “It didn’t seem there was any problem when I was in Australia. But the team at some stage will have to go through a transition period.

“There are some very senior players who are nearing the end of their careers. And that’s something we have to manage very carefully with myself being involved and some of the other people, including the players themselves.

“I would like to see a smooth transition. Maybe in 18 months we could have two new players in the Test side. So there’s going to be a lot of planning on that front and a lot of discussion with senior players on when their time is up. The senior players would have certainly left a legacy. So my motivation is to make an Indian team that’s highly competitive, consistent and can compete for the No. 1 ranking,” he said.

On the aspect of different captains for the Test and ODI teams, he said: “I think they are two very exciting cricketers. Kumble has proved his worth. Dhoni is the captain for the future. Maybe he will be the captain for both the teams in the future. But right now it’s not probably the correct time for him.”

Kirsten said the Indian team picks itself. “There are one or two positions of which we are unsure at the moment. Everyone’s excited about the young fast bowlers coming through. Ishant Sharma has been a revelation over the last two months.

“And I think the most important thing is that there are a lot of players who are pushing each other for places in the final eleven. So the more issues we have in the selection of the eleven the better it will be,” he said.

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