The Great Game Called Cricket...

If Team India is the numero uno of Test cricket, a lot of credit goes to one man who has been silently and selflessly working behind the scene. In an exclusive interview, Gary Kirsten, the coach of the Indian cricket team, talks to Cricket Nirvana on the journey to the top and the team he is in charge of…

A good 18 months ago, you sat down with Team India and set a goal of becoming the world’s best Test team. How does it feel to get there?

It’s been a fantastic and interesting run. I’ve enjoyed the time that I’ve spent with the Indian team and for them to achieve the level of success they have over the last 18 months is particularly satisfying. It’s not something that I’ve put in place. The whole team has worked together and MS Dhoni has played a crucial role as the captain of the team and by playing the type of cricket we wanted to play. Everyone has made crucial contributions at one stage or another in the last two years.

My relationships with players are built on trust. I encourage them to speak up and give their feedback. I feel players’ contribution is very vital, as I might not have all the answers.— Gary Kirsten on his relationship with player © Getty Images

What according to you is the biggest strength of this team?

Let’s put one thing on the table that it is a very talented team; there is a lot of skill. I believe that it has one of the strongest batting line-ups in the world and that alone says a lot. But generally, it all boils down to try and achieve the goals as a unit, which this team has done amazingly well.

How do you look back at your stint so far?

I’ve just thoroughly enjoyed understanding the way the Indian players are, the way they play their cricket and how they go about their business. It’s very different from other countries. I’ve also grown close to a lot of the players, having spent the last two years with them. We’ve worked on this mission to be consistently a good team and we’re on the right path.

What struck you the most about India and Indian cricket when you first came here to take up the coaching job?

Everyone knows that India is a cricket-mad country. There is a huge following and these players are revered here. I was amazed at how well the players handle themselves with this kind of fan-base and popularity. I think it’s quite difficult sometimes to manage the adulation that you receive and at the same time go out and give your best, playing for Team India. All credit to the players for the way they conduct themselves on and off the field.

As a foreign coach, what were the areas you had to work on during your early days?

The main challenge was to understand the Indian way, which is very different. It would have been foolish of me to come in with a South African mindset and say, ‘this is how we’re going to play cricket’. So, I spent a lot of time just understanding and getting a feel of how the Indians go about their business on and off the field. Then it was on to building some relationships and trust and create an environment where we could all talk very openly to each other.


Paddy Upton has been tremendous on the road with me. Together we were able to lay out a path in terms of the influence we could have on the players and how we wanted to change a certain things. But at the same time we also focused on the things the team was doing well at the time and make sure we continue with them.

What goes into coaching a team at an international level?

The word coaching might not necessarily be the right word at this level, but a whole lot of things go into it. The first is to manage the players and their thought processes. There’s an enormous amount of stress on international players to perform for their country in front of 50,000 people every day. So, it’s all about working out what you need to say or do to a player to get the best out of him. That’s one very important component.

Of course there is the technical component but that’s more about monitoring each individual and making sure he’s doing the things that he wants to do technically. Then there’s the strategy component, where you sit with the captain and players, understand their individual game-plans and combine them with the team’s plans.

There’s also a motivational component. There comes a time when you need to have a strong word or two with the guys just to get them going.

Lastly, we also need to set up an environment where people enjoy themselves. That’s an important thing when the players are on the road for a long time. We need to make sure that when we wake up in the morning, we’re up doing what we want to do and that we’re having a lot of fun doing it.

You’ve had to deal with a variety of players, considering that we have different teams for Test and shorter forms of the game. How do you handle that aspect?

It is very important to handle every individual differently. With the younger players, you want to help them grow and become better cricketers. In case of senior players, one just needs to make sure they continue their level of success and may be even get 10 or 15 per cent better. I think a lot of the players know what they need to do, so for me it’s really just to monitor that. And if there’s anything that I feel I can add to their game, I bring it to their attention and we take it from there.

Many players have given you credit for their success. How do you motivate them?

It’s a very nice thing for them to credit me because at the end of the day they’re the ones crossing the ropes and doing the job. The best that I can do is monitor their game and let them know if I pick up any technical glitch. More importantly, you should allow them to be themselves and play the way they play best. Also, they should be made aware that we’re trying to achieve one goal as a team and should play within that boundary.

Representing the country is the motivation for the players. How do you motivate yourself everyday?

I’m here to do a job and do it as well as I can. I’d like to believe that I give a hundred per cent every day and I’m completely motivated and geared towards giving this team the best chance of success. We’re not always going to win games or play how we want to play, but I believe this bunch of cricketers can really achieve the level of success we’re striving for on a regular basis.

One player who has really flourished under you is Gautam Gambhir. He has scored runs with amazing consistency for the last two years. What do you think is Gambhir’s biggest strength?

The bottom line is that he takes every innings he plays for his country very seriously. He’s got a fierce determination to succeed and he treats every innings as his last for India. He is a tremendous example for the young players in terms of not being satisfied with being average and not being satisfied with one good knock in the series. Another huge attribute is that he can play any type of game. He can save a Test match for you and can bat at a run-a-ball in ODIs. He can adapt his game to different situations. He’s a wonderful asset to the team and I just hope his form continues.

Former India coach John Wright once caught Sehwag by his collar as he nonchalantly walked into the dressing room after getting out to a terrible shot. Did it also take time for you to come to terms with Sehwag’s unique brand of batsmanship?

No, not at all! I very much knew the way Virender played his cricket. I’d watched him play and also played against him on a few occasions. So, I had a good understanding of the way he went about his business. I knew the value that he added to the team. It’s ideal to have a good mix of aggressive players and the more compact ones in the top six of the batting line-up, so that they compliment each other. And Sehwag brings that balance into the Indian team. We encourage his high-risk cricket because even his quick 30-40 can change the game to the team’s favour and help in upping the run-rate right from the start.

Despite having talented bowlers, we lack consistency in the attack as we have in our batting line-up. Both spinners and pacers are juggled around. Is this an area of concern?


I think it’s a real opportunity for the younger bowlers to stake their claim in the team. The point you’re making is correct. But we know that every one of these bowlers has done well at one stage or the other and we’re just making sure we pick the best out of a group of guys as the third seamer or second spinner who can compliment the senior bowlers. So, it presents a chance to the young guys to stake their claim and say, ‘I want a place in the team at a consistent level and willing to work hard for it’.

For any team to be successful, the captain-coach relationship is very crucial. You and MS Dhoni have struck a good rapport. What do you think makes this working relationship click?

I think it’s the respect we have for each other. I have tremendous respect for his playing ability and his captaincy. Equally, he shows respect for what I do within the team. We understand each other’s roles within the team environment and each other’s space but at the same time we can always cross that boundary and offer suggestions.

Do you think the team needs a specialist bowling and fielding coach?

It just helps the process. The game has moved to a stage where specialist coaches have a very important role to play. More importantly, I believe that just one specialist bowling or fielding coach doesn’t serve the purpose of the entire team. Take me for an example, I’m the head coach and probably also the designated batting coach. But I can’t fulfill the needs of all individuals. There will be players who have their own coaches they’d want to turn to. I want players to receive different types of input that would help them improve their game. So, to have consultants coming in and offering value over a period of time is very important.

During the Twenty20 World Cup and Champions Trophy, many of our players were carrying niggles and you raised a point about their participation in the IPL and Champions League. Now that these tournaments are here to stay, what do you think is the best way to ensure international cricket doesn’t suffer?

I think it’s the responsibility of the players to make sure they look after themselves during the IPL and at the back of their minds prepare for the international tournaments. They can use the IPL as a preparation ground for the Twenty20 World Cup. They play 13-14 games in the league, which is a huge opportunity and it must be used in a right way.

As Indian coach, you must have come across many young talented players. Anybody who has impressed you in particular?

I don’t think it’s right to pick any one. There is a lot of talent in Indian cricket and that is particularly heartening. I think in that context, the introduction of the IPL is a great opportunity for youngsters. They are exposed to the big scene with big crowds and pressure situations, which give them a sense of belonging. It prepares them well for international cricket. There is a lot of talent out there and it all depends on how it is nurtured and whether the individuals understand what they need to convert it into performance.

Do you fret over the future of Test cricket?

All the players think it’s great to play Test cricket and that’s the bottom line. It’s a very important component of the game. We have three disciplines now, which can all be played in a calendar year. It’s really important to understand that Test cricket is the soul of the game and we must make sure that we don’t play less and less of it.

Understandably, it’s difficult to fit in everything at the moment because we have a lot on the plate in a year, but I think Test cricket is doing very well at the moment. You just have to look at a couple of series played recently where we got good crowds. The Ashes series last year and our series against Sri Lanka attracted good crowds. So, I believe Test cricket is in a healthy state.