Gary Kirsten unlikely to extend contract with BCCI – senior board official
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 as team India’s head coach when his term ends after the ICC World Cup 2011. This was confirmed by a senior BCCI official on Sunday.
“I can confirm that he will not continue his coaching assignment with India after the World Cup", said the official.
Since Kirsten is not interested in extending the contract, the recently concluded series against South Africa, in all likelihood, was his last bilateral series as India’s coach and next month’s World Cup would now be his last international
assignment with the Men in Blue.
The former http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 opener and the Indian cricket team have developed an excellent understanding over the past three years and the board and players were keen to have Kirsten as coach for another term. But the 43-year old expressed
his desire not to renew his contract citing family commitments.
The board official praised Kirsten’s efforts in developing the team into the world’s leading side.
“Everyone can see the results, which are obvious”, the official said. “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".
It was under Kirsten’s coaching that the Indian team reached their much-cherished No. 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings. The South African adopted some unusual training methods to make the team capable of making a comeback from dire
situations.
Kirsten developed the team not only in the Test format of game but also improved their One Day game as the side has won eight off their last nine bilateral One Day series and stands at No. 2 in the ICC ODI rankings table with 119
rating points.
Kirsten’s decision of not extending his contract with BCCI does not come as a big surprise as he has earlier spoken of his desire to spend more time with his family - wife and two growing sons, Joshua and James – after spending three
hectic years with India’s cricket team.
The Indian skipper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni-c73820, was also keen to have Kirsten as coach for another three years but he said that family life is the most crucial thing, especially when one has growing kids. Dhoni also praised the efforts of
the South African in developing the team as a competitive side.
"He has given (the team) whatever he could, the best he could”, said Dhoni. “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", he added.
Kirsten, in the meanwhile, has said that it was a ‘humbling’ experience for him and that he thoroughly enjoyed working with India’s cricket team.
“I have loved it. I have had pretty much three years now. It’s been a really humbling journey for me and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with this team”, Kirsten said.
Media reports have linked Kirsten’s decision with joining the home side in a parallel role as the Proteas too will be without a coach as Corrie van Zyl has also announced he will be leaving the side after next month’s quadrennial event,
which kicks off in the Subcontinent on 19th February and will run until 2 April.
However, according to sources, Gary is not likely to seek another international job that soon.
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