Gary Kirsten to quit post as India coach after the end of 2011 World Cup
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gary-Kirsten-c58527 has decided to quit his post after the end of the World Cup tournament set to be played in the subcontinent from next month.
The former South African opening batsman took over the reins of the Indian team in December 2007 and took them to the highs of being the top-ranked Test team in the world. They are currently perched at the top
of the ICC rankings in the longest format of the game, consolidating their position after a fine performance in the three-match Test series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 in their own backyard.
A senior official of the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) stated that Kirsten had indicated to them some time ago that he was not keen on continuing after the World Cup and reiterated his stance recently.
The basic reason for the decision is Kirsten’s family commitments back home.
"It is a topic that has been discussed at length for a long time. I can confirm that he will not continue his coaching assignment with India after the World Cup," the official said. "Everyone was keen that Gary
continues for another term, perhaps of three years. The team and the coach have developed an excellent rapport over the last three years. Everyone can see the results, which are obvious. Gary has also put in a lot of effort behind the scenes to bolster team
spirit and oneness among the unit. We must respect his decision, especially because it is based on family commitments."
On the other hand, India captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni-c73820 had stated before the start of the tour of South Africa that he and the team management were doing everything they could to persuade Kirsten to stay longer
with them. He added that money was not the deciding factor; it was more to do with his kids who are growing up and need Kirsten around them.
"Of course," Dhoni said before the start of the series, when asked if India were trying to do everything within their powers to make Kirsten stay. "But what you also need to see is he has been part of the Indian
cricket team for the last three years. His family - Joshua is a growing kid right now and James is http://www.senore.com/Cricket/A-Young-c41367 kid too [both Kirsten's sons] - which means Gary wants to spend time with his family. That will be the most crucial thing apart from the money aspect.
"He has given [the Indian team] whatever he could, the best he could, and of course it was a pleasure to have him in the side, but then again it is a decision he will have to take. More than the cricketing part,
it will be his family that will have a real impact on the decision."
It is not yet known if there was any reason
besides family commitment that has prompted Kirsten’s decision. One thing, though, is for sure that his tenure would be regarded as one of the best in Indian history, an era in which his team fought from many tough situations to beat the best in the
business.
The series wins over http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 besides the two drawn series against South Africa at home and away would go down as one of the best times in the history of a country where the game is
considered as important as religion. The icing on the cake for Kirsten would be World Cup glory and if that happens, he is set to be hailed as the King of Indian cricket for years to come.
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