Gary Kirsten talks about making a return as Team India’s head coach

Gary Kirsten remains to be one of the most popular names in Indian cricket. He was the head coach of the Men in Blue when they won the 2011 World Cup after 28 long years. In the 2007 edition of the mega event, India crashed out after the Group stage, but managed to make amends. Back in 2007, the former South African batsman joined Team India.

After Greg Chappell stepped away, it was Lalchand Rajput, who was their coach during the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa. From there on, India cricket changed for the better and the team kept garnering numerous laurels. After 11 years since the heist against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium, Kirsten was asked if he would wish to make a comeback.

Gary Kirsten opines

Replying to the same, Kirsten said that he won’t be ruling out the chances of returning to the Indian team. “I would always consider it. Although it would need to work out for everyone,” Kirsten was quoted as saying to The Times of India (TOI).

Following the World Cup, Kirsten stepped down and became the head coach of the South African team. Recently, he was the first preference of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), then headed by Kapil Dev, to coach the national women’s team. But he couldn’t make the cut since he was associated with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

In 2019, he was also a front-runner to become England’s coach. However, yet again, he was left out as he was the coach of Durban Heat in the Mzansi Super League (MSL). After Kirsten went, the likes of Duncan Fletcher, Anil Kumble and Ravi Shastri have coached Team India.

For the role of the head coach, one needs to be below the age of 60. Ravi Shastri will be turning 60 by 2021 and hence India are set to have a new coach after the T20 World Cup that year. As far as Kirsten is concerned, he has a chance since he is 52 years old now.

If he fights for the spot, there’s no doubt that he will be a tough proposition to reckon with. India’s present coach Shastri has been in the role since the second half of 2017.