Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar got me India coaching job within 7 minutes: Gary Kirsten

Former South African captain Gary Kirsten was appointed as India’s coach in 2007, i.e. a few months after controversial departure of Greg Chappell. 101-Test veteran recently stated that he was t initially interested in role and only landed job because of former Indian cricketers Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar. While speaking on Cricket Collective Podcast, Gary Kirsten recalled series of events which unfolded during his interview with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials back in 2007.

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Gary Kirsten credits Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar for India’s coaching job

Gary Kirsten said that he received an email from former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who was part of coach selection panel, in 2007 in which Gavaskar had asked him wher he would consider coaching Indian team. Upon receiving ar invitation from Indian batting icon, Kirsten stated that he showed email to his wife who responded: “y must have wrong person”. veteran South African cricketer said that he finally considered offer and arrived in India for interview with BCCI officials.

Gary Kirsten admitted that he went unprepared for interview and considered environment of meeting as an “intimidating” one. He said upon being asked to present his vision for future of Indian cricket, his response at time was “Well, I don’t have one”. panel also included cricketer-turned-commentator Ravi Shastri. According to Kirsten, it was Ravi Shastri, who acted as an ice-breaker between him and BCCI officials.

experienced cricketer recalled Ravi Shastri’s question, where current Indian coach had asked him to tell what did South Africans do to beat Indian team over years. Gary Kirsten went ahead and answered for about two-three minutes without disclosing much strategies. He said that Ravi Shastri, along with rest of committee were suitably impressed and his seven-minute interview ended in him landing up a high-profile Team India coaching contract.

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Gary Kirsten’s appointment and his four-year stint turned out to be one of most successful phases for Indian cricket. During his tenure, MS Dhoni was appointed as Test captain, taking over role after Anil Kumble anunced his retirement in 2008. captain-coach partnership between MS Dhoni and Gary Kirsten achieved much success toger, be it leading India to helm of ICC Test team rankings or lifting 2011 World Cup at home.

Ravi Shastri as India coach

Interestingly, Ravi Shastri himself took up India’s coaching job in 2017. After conclusion of 2019 World Cup, BCCI re-appointed him as head coach by extending his contract until 2021 T20 World Cup in India.

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Im credits: ICC Twitter