Former South African batsman Garry Kirsten will be new coach of Indian Cricket Team. He was signed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. His tenure will be of two years starting from 1st March 2008. This was announced by BCCI on Wednesday. The post of Coach for Team India is lying vacant after exit of Australian Greg Chappel who resigned after early exit of the team from World Cup 2007.
There was suspicion in his joining the team as it was reported that some senior players were not happy with his appointment. But finally all obstacles were removed. He will meet the players of the team before their departure to Australia. He will also join them for last two test matches in later half of January. But he will take full charge as coach from tour of South African team in March 2008 when the team will visit India.
After Greg Chappel, Team India is without is without a full time coach and incidentally during this period team has enjoyed a good success with win in Twenty-twenty world cup, test series win in England and one day series victory against Pakistan at home. The team is also ahead in ongoing test series against Pakistan.
The 40-year-old South African left-handed batsman retired from international cricket in 2004. He scored 7289 runs in 101 tests with average of 45.27 and highest score is 275. He also played 185 one day matches and scored 6789 runs with average of 40.95. After his retirement, he started a cricket academy in Cape Town. This is his first assignment as a coach of any international side.
Source: BBC
