Gary Kirsten rules out India coaching role

As Team India coach, Gary Kirsten had guided the team to No. 1 Test spot

Former Team India coach Gary Kirsten has said that he will not engage with any international team as a full-time coach. The 47-year-old added that he is happy with his own academy work.

Kirsten told Khaleej Times,“I'm enjoying working in my own academy space for the mean time. I'm doing some clinics in Dubai so looking forward to that.” In October this year, the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) had approached Kirsten to return as Team India’s coach. While confirming this to the Indian media, Kirsten had said that though he was honoured, he could not undertake the role.

Since the time Duncan Fletcher’s contract got over, the Indian team has been without a coach. Ravi Shastri, besides being the team’s director, has also been working as a coach. During Kirsten’s tenure as India’s coach, he guided the team to number one spot in tests and World Cup victory in 2011.

Talking about the new phase that India’s test team is going through right now under Virat Kohli, their former coach said, “They have done well. Every team goes through a cycle. So, they have brought in some young players and they are starting to really shine now. But I reckon, you only get experience after 50 odd Test matches. So, the players are kind of going through that experience at the moment and they are doing it really nicely.”

Though the former South African opener will not be taking up full-time coaching, he will do a short stint with the England Lions before their limited-overs series against Pakistan 'A' in the UAE in January 2016. Talking about his advisory role with this team he said, “I will be with the England Lions in January next year so, looking forward to that.”

India and South Africa are currently playing Freedom Series and the hosts lead this four-match series 1-0. However Kirsten is confident about the Proteas making a comeback. He said, “It is an interesting series. India have played well but South Africa are a quality outfit so I won't be surprised if they come back in the series. But it is going to set up for an interesting last two Test matches.”

The former South African player also talked highly of AB de Villiers who has recently played his 100th Test. Talking of ABD, Kirsten said, “He is a world class player and I think it is a massive milestone for us South Africans to now have a seventh player to have played hundred Tests for his country. He is a stand out and an exceptional player and he continues to kind of surprise people at how good he actually is.”