Newly-appointed Indian team coach Gary Kirsten feels that the value of experience was more important at Test level than in the shorter versions of the game while praising the younger lot under Mahendra Singh Dhoni for being energetic and full of grit and vigour.
“Under Mahendra Singh Dhoni the (limited overs) team looks very energetic. They are a bunch of young players and it’s great for Indian cricket what they are doing. I was really encouraged with their ability to fight till the death and put in a determined effort even when the chips were down,” said the former South African player here on Tuesday.
Kirsten along with Test captain Anil Kumble held discussions with BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah, Treasurer N Srinivasan and CAO Ratnakar Shetty.
“At Test level one must always be careful. Test cricket has an uncompromising environment and we need the experience at the Test level, may be more so, than in one-day cricket. So I would like to see a smooth content of players going to Test in time,” said the former South African opener.
Kirsten, who is to take over formally as coach from March 1 will start his stint against his country of birth who are to play a three-Test series against hosts India, said that the transition from the shorter to the longer version of the game would be a tough road to travel for the younger lot.
“It’s going to be a tough transition and we may have to irritate a few players on the way,” he said.
Praise for Kumble
Kirsten was all praise for Kumble’s leadership Down Under in the Test series against Australia. “He (Kumble) has proved his worth and has tremendous leadership qualities. He’s done a tremendous job as a (Test) captain and the team is looking good which has great prospects for the future,” Kirsten said.
The coach was also fulsome in his praise of Dhoni as ODI captain but felt he needed some more time to take charge of the Test side. “He’s exactly the same (as Kumble in leading the team) and has also won one major trophy (World Twenty20 Cup) as a captain. (But) this is not the right time (for him to lead in Tests). He’s the captain for the future,” he said.
Kirsten, who had a brief interaction as consultant with the team in Australia at Perth during the third Test, expressed optimism that he would be able to handle the team as its full-time coach.
“At the moment everyone is open to discussion, but later not everyone is going to be happy and that’s the nature of life. I will be able to manage the team,” he explained.
Kirsten said the immediate priority for him was to identify the support staff for the team following the decision of physio John Gloster and trainer Gregory King to disassociate themselves from the squad at the end of the current visit to Australia.
