Gary Kirsten praised Duncan Fletcher and MS Dhoni for India's transition after 2011

Gary Kirsten was India's coach until 2011 World Cup, which India won.

Gary Kirsten stepped down from the India coach job after winning the World Cup in 2011

Gary Kirsten has lauded Duncan Fletcher's contribution in India's transition phase.  With experienced players retiring, young cricketers aren't always able to handle the sudden burden on them.

Sri Lankan team is an example, which has been unable to cope up with the loss of senior players like Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara and their performance has suffered.

"I think Duncan Fletcher and MS Dhoni played a huge role in creating an environment for young players to thrive. This has really helped younger players to deal with the trials and tribulations of international competition," Kirsten told PTI.

Fletcher walked in as coach after India's 2011 World Cup, as Gary Kirsten's tenure ended. Stalwarts like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan left the team in next four years, but Indian team's performance didn't see a downfall.

"Not every environment is suited to one's coaching style and philosophy. Although coaches are measured by the results of a team, the bigger picture often reflects what kind of an impact a coach had on a player.

"We as coaches often take more pleasure out of watching individuals thrive under one's leadership," Kirsten was replying to a question about not being able to replicate his success as an international coach in the franchise cricket.

Kirsten had a poor outing with Delhi Daredevils as a coach. He has now joined Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.

"Winning games often just 'buys' a coach more time to be able to have positive influence on individuals within the group," opined Kirsten.

Kirsten is associated with Grassroots Sports Academy to offer state-of-the-art coaching to aspiring youngsters.

Gary Kirsten lauded the work by MS Dhoni and Duncan Flethcer for Indian team

"I am excited about partnering up with Grassroots Sports Academy to offer a coaching service to those who not only play for enjoyment but also have aspirations to play at a higher level.

"We are not necessarily different to other coaching businesses, but I'm also aware there are many many cricket players in India," he said.

His academy Gary Kirsten Cricket conducting trials between April 23 and May 18 across various Indian cities. 

Kirsten said that if someone really talented is spotted, he might be taken for a stint at his high-performance academy in South Africa. The hunt will also be held in Bangalore (April 28 and 29), Pune (May 2 and 3), Delhi (May 10-11), Chennai (May 14-15) and Jaipur (May 17 and 18).

"I will be around as often as my schedule allows but we will be setting up a coaching structure which will include many Indian coaches, who reach the GKC coaching standards."

Six players from each city will be invited to Pune for a weekend training programme in July. Following this, three players out of 36 will be given a scholarship for a two-month residential High-Performance Camp worth Rs 2 lakh each.

(With PTI inputs) 

 
 

By Sihyeu Singh - 21 Apr, 2018

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