Soon after India suffered one of their worst defeats at home, coach Gary Kirsten was seen walking up to the pitch and speaking to the curator. The strict disciplinarian that Kirsten is, he was instrumental in organising a practise session the following day and was seen working with VVS Laxman and Ishant Sharma, among others. Soon after the session ended, Kirsten was on the plane to Kolkata, getting ready for the next challenge, a bigger one if india is to retain the world number one Test spot. Boria Majumdar caught up with Kirsten in Kolkata. Excerpts:
Post-Nagpur, if I ask you to compare the current Indian team with the South Africans, what will you say is our strength or weakness?
I don?t believe it is right to compare with other countries because the styles of play are very different. I believe one of the reasons for the success of this Indian team has been the ability to respond to different situations that happen in a Test match. This has required individuals with a lot of experience who understand their games and can handle the pressures of Test match cricket.
A large part of the modern game is played in the mind. How does Gary Kirsten prepare himself for a high-pressure match mentally?
My role is not to prepare myself, but rather do everything I can think of? to help each player prepare in such a way that he has the best chance of achieving success when he crosses the ropes for Team India.
Indian flair and South African professionalism should make for a great combination?is that what is making our cricket the best in the world under your tutelage?
There are many reasons for the recent success of the Indian team. We have tried to create an environment where the players are enjoying the challenges that come with representing their country. We have also set goals on what we want to achieve and every player has taken that very seriously.
We often hear talk about lack of infrastructure. What is your take on the foundations of Indian cricket? Do you get to see the domestic game? Any special talent that you have seen of late? This is especially pertinent because we have seen what happened in the absence of Rahul and VVS at Nagpur.
There will always be a lot of talent out there and I have seen many players who show heaps of potential. As I have said before, what makes a successful international cricketer is not necessarily how he hits a cricket ball or how many runs he scores at domestic level. The pressures of international competition are huge and many talented cricketers are simply unable to cope with that pressure.
What is your wish-list for 2010 and 2011?
That we continue to build a squad of players that has the ability to make significant contributions when needed against the best opposition.
Acculturation is one of the biggest problems that one faces in India. The constant media glare for example. What has been your experience and how do see yourself in the next few years? Will we see you wanting to go back home or is India the new home?
I have thoroughly enjoyed my two years with the Indian team. It has been an incredible journey for my family and I feel very much part of the team environment. This is because Paddy Upton and myself have spent a lot of time adjusting our thinking and really getting to understand what makes each individual tick. We have wanted to make a positive contribution to each individual that will allow him to grow as a person and cricketer and enjoy himself in the process. It has been tough spending time away from family, especially with young children, but as ?global citizens? we have had to accept and embrace that.