'It's a tremendous opportunity to get a job of this stature'
Cricinfo caught up with Gary Kirsten, the former South Africa batsman and surprise front-runner to coach India
Nagraj Gollapudi
27-Nov-2007
In the Test Colosseum Gary Kirsten was a gladiator second to none: always up for the challenge and well equipped to handle the demands of every situation. Today he stands at the cusp of another challenge, that of coaching India. In the following interview he tells the story of why he said yes to one of the most feared jobs in international cricket
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It was a surprise for us to hear you were one of the contenders. Were you surprised too when the offer came along or you were expecting it?
I was surprised when I received the offer. But it was absolutely a great honour to have the opportunity to be involved in the set-up. Although things are still at a discussion phase, if the job does come along it'll be a great opportunity for me.
I was surprised when I received the offer. But it was absolutely a great honour to have the opportunity to be involved in the set-up. Although things are still at a discussion phase, if the job does come along it'll be a great opportunity for me.
Who came up with the offer and how much time did it take before you decided to be interviewed?
The whole process went by quite quickly. I got a call from the BCCI about a month ago and I took some time for my response and then got their response, asking if I would like to come over and have a chat. That all went relatively quickly, in a matter of a few weeks.
The whole process went by quite quickly. I got a call from the BCCI about a month ago and I took some time for my response and then got their response, asking if I would like to come over and have a chat. That all went relatively quickly, in a matter of a few weeks.
How did the interview go?
The interview went for about a couple of hours where I met members of the board's coaching committee. The meeting went absolutely fine. It was really for both sides to get a feel for each other, to understand how the process might work. I haven't received any sort of formal contract yet and it's still very much in the discussion phase. But things should get sorted relatively quickly either way.
The interview went for about a couple of hours where I met members of the board's coaching committee. The meeting went absolutely fine. It was really for both sides to get a feel for each other, to understand how the process might work. I haven't received any sort of formal contract yet and it's still very much in the discussion phase. But things should get sorted relatively quickly either way.
Unlike Graham Ford's interview, the board has been tight-lipped this time round?
I prefer it that way actually.
I prefer it that way actually.
Did you consult with Ford or any other South Africa players?
No, I didn't speak to anyone.
No, I didn't speak to anyone.
What is the motivation behind taking such a high-profile and high-pressure job such as this?
No motivation other than it's a great opportunity. I've always felt one should not shy away from challenges, and if the situation is such that I could take this job on, I would enjoy the challenge. It's a great honour to receive a note saying "Would you be interested in the job?"
No motivation other than it's a great opportunity. I've always felt one should not shy away from challenges, and if the situation is such that I could take this job on, I would enjoy the challenge. It's a great honour to receive a note saying "Would you be interested in the job?"
The most important thing was they approached me, I didn't approach them, so I suppose from that point of view one can be encouraged that they felt that there's something that I had when I was a player, or in more recent times, that I could offer this team
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The news is that you've been given one week to take your final decision. If that's true, what are the issues you need to take care of in the next seven days?
Yes, that's correct.
Yes, that's correct.
The most important thing is family. As we are aware, in international cricket you spend a lot of time away from home. I've got two young kids and it's a question of seeing them enough and still being able to do the job properly. That'll be the biggest issue and if we can get around that then certainly we can move forward in the discussions. I've had a chat with my wife and we have just got to take stock when I get back tomorrow, and have a few days of real thought to the process and look at it from all avenues. It's a tremendous opportunity to get a job of this stature.
The former incumbent in the coach's job, Greg Chappell, was criticised for his inexperience, and over his unsuccessful coaching stint with his state side (South Australia). In your case, you don't have any formal coaching pedigree. Will that be an issue?
I don't think it's an issue in that I'm certainly not going to come over and teach big players how to play cricket. They're all very experienced players and pretty much know what they need to do. My bigger role would be to make sure that each player plays to his full potential, and I've got some very definitive ideas how to optimise that potential. As for formal coaching experience, I've been involved in coaching for four years. I've been a Warriors batting consultant over the last two years, so I've had some exposure to the team environment and that gives me confidence too.
I don't think it's an issue in that I'm certainly not going to come over and teach big players how to play cricket. They're all very experienced players and pretty much know what they need to do. My bigger role would be to make sure that each player plays to his full potential, and I've got some very definitive ideas how to optimise that potential. As for formal coaching experience, I've been involved in coaching for four years. I've been a Warriors batting consultant over the last two years, so I've had some exposure to the team environment and that gives me confidence too.
Could you talk about your role with Cricket South Africa (CSA) as high performance manager, a position you held some time ago?
I was the high performance manager for two years. My role was to work with young cricketing talent, a job that I really enjoyed and relished. I got a couple of other guys to help me run a series of camps identifying the top young players and putting in place a process in terms of their development as cricketers. I thoroughly enjoyed that job. Once I finished that contract in January 2006, I set up my own academy in Cape Town and did similar work, but that was more in a private capacity. Depending on whether I'll take this job or not, the long-term thing for me in the years to come is to be involved in cricket. It's my passion, it's my love, and I want to continue doing it.
I was the high performance manager for two years. My role was to work with young cricketing talent, a job that I really enjoyed and relished. I got a couple of other guys to help me run a series of camps identifying the top young players and putting in place a process in terms of their development as cricketers. I thoroughly enjoyed that job. Once I finished that contract in January 2006, I set up my own academy in Cape Town and did similar work, but that was more in a private capacity. Depending on whether I'll take this job or not, the long-term thing for me in the years to come is to be involved in cricket. It's my passion, it's my love, and I want to continue doing it.
So, you are no longer contracted to CSA?
Not at all. I'm on my own.
Not at all. I'm on my own.
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Interestingly, after Chappell's exit in April, India have managed to stay afloat successfully without a coach. Going by that theory, it would suggest the team doesn't need a head coach as such. What are your views on that?
The important thing is what role the coach plays. I just believe that a coach can come in and make sure that things are running smoothly. In any team environment where people are spending a lot of time together, you are always going to be confronted with certain issues that need to be addressed. A coach can play a very important role in maintaining harmony with the environment and again making sure each individual is in a space where he can play at his best as often as possible. You'll have some coaches that'll come aboard and say "You know, this is the way you are going to do things - it's my way or the highway." I'm certainly not one of those coaches.
The important thing is what role the coach plays. I just believe that a coach can come in and make sure that things are running smoothly. In any team environment where people are spending a lot of time together, you are always going to be confronted with certain issues that need to be addressed. A coach can play a very important role in maintaining harmony with the environment and again making sure each individual is in a space where he can play at his best as often as possible. You'll have some coaches that'll come aboard and say "You know, this is the way you are going to do things - it's my way or the highway." I'm certainly not one of those coaches.
The Indian team is full of talented individuals. You come from a background where team ethic is given more emphasis rather the individualistic ethic that exists in India. Will that be a challenge?
The impression I got was they are looking for someone to come in with a different way of thinking compared to what they are used to. Certainly, I would, maybe, continue in the style that I used while I was playing, and impart information as to why it might be relevant and why it might be important. It's important to realise that every player is different and has a different way of thinking about the game and it's a question of making sure that you get the best out of each guy.
The impression I got was they are looking for someone to come in with a different way of thinking compared to what they are used to. Certainly, I would, maybe, continue in the style that I used while I was playing, and impart information as to why it might be relevant and why it might be important. It's important to realise that every player is different and has a different way of thinking about the game and it's a question of making sure that you get the best out of each guy.
As a player you played some masterful knocks, particularly under pressure. How different do you think coaching will be?
The pressure as a coach is little bit different because you can't get out there on the park. The important thing is to keep a stable base emotionally. When the guys are going there in heated battle, it's a tough environment to operate in, so I certainly think the recent experience I've had in Test-match battle will help my ideas and my thinking in how to get a message across to the players. There's nothing like having been out there in the Test match arena and understanding for yourself what the pressures are. I certainly look forward to passing on that sort of information and hoping it gives them an opportunity to understand it better.
The pressure as a coach is little bit different because you can't get out there on the park. The important thing is to keep a stable base emotionally. When the guys are going there in heated battle, it's a tough environment to operate in, so I certainly think the recent experience I've had in Test-match battle will help my ideas and my thinking in how to get a message across to the players. There's nothing like having been out there in the Test match arena and understanding for yourself what the pressures are. I certainly look forward to passing on that sort of information and hoping it gives them an opportunity to understand it better.
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When the guys are going there in heated battle, it's a tough environment to operate in, so I certainly think the recent experience I've had in Test match battle will help my ideas and my thinking in how to get a message across to the players. There's nothing like having been out there in the Test match arena and understanding for yourself what the pressures are
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India's captains, Anil Kumble and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, are new in the leadership role. Will that be a challenge or will it help you form strategies from scratch?
I've met Anil and contacted him during this Delhi visit. I know him pretty well, having played against him, and I'm very impressed with him as an individual. With his experience, that can only add value to the team environment. A coach and a captain have to operate as a partnership, so I'll certainly be looking to create a closer partnership with him. Equally, in the one-day setup I was very impressed with Dhoni's captaincy as with his composure and the way he went about his business.
I've met Anil and contacted him during this Delhi visit. I know him pretty well, having played against him, and I'm very impressed with him as an individual. With his experience, that can only add value to the team environment. A coach and a captain have to operate as a partnership, so I'll certainly be looking to create a closer partnership with him. Equally, in the one-day setup I was very impressed with Dhoni's captaincy as with his composure and the way he went about his business.
Would you be happy continuing with the current backroom staff?
I need to get to know those individuals and what they offer, but they are all professionals and I don't think that would be an issue.
I need to get to know those individuals and what they offer, but they are all professionals and I don't think that would be an issue.
If everything works out, is there a possibility that you might join the team during the Bangalore Test of the ongoing Pakistan series?
No, that won't be possible. That's obviously one of the issues we are discussing at the moment. I have some long-standing commitments in South Africa that I need to honour. So at the moment we're still at the question of when I'm going to begin.
No, that won't be possible. That's obviously one of the issues we are discussing at the moment. I have some long-standing commitments in South Africa that I need to honour. So at the moment we're still at the question of when I'm going to begin.
So when will you be free to take over?
Probably early next year. We are actually negotiating if I can join sometime during the Australia series. In a week's time everything should be clear.
Probably early next year. We are actually negotiating if I can join sometime during the Australia series. In a week's time everything should be clear.
Finally, what do you make of your prospects for the job?
The most important thing was they approached me, I didn't approach them, so I suppose from that point of view one can be encouraged that they felt that there's something that I had when I was a player, or in more recent times, that I could offer this team. And that gives me a tremendous sense of confidence - to know that I've been backed to that amount or level. I'm pretty circumspect about it; it's not a life-threatening situation for me, so if the job comes along, I'll do it as best I can.
The most important thing was they approached me, I didn't approach them, so I suppose from that point of view one can be encouraged that they felt that there's something that I had when I was a player, or in more recent times, that I could offer this team. And that gives me a tremendous sense of confidence - to know that I've been backed to that amount or level. I'm pretty circumspect about it; it's not a life-threatening situation for me, so if the job comes along, I'll do it as best I can.
Nagraj Gollapudi is an assistant editor at Cricinfo