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Former Indian cricket team coach Gary Kirsten has joined the Netherlands squad along with ex-Australian allrounder Dan Christian. Both of them will be mentors in the upcoming T20 World Cup to be held in Australia. These two brilliant additions make the players much more hopeful about posing threats to the bigger opponents in the grand event.
Gary Kirsten’s records as a coach at the international level speak very highly of him. Under his guidance, India lifted the Men's ODI World Cup after a prolonged wait of 28 years. Just a year later, he managed to take the Protean squad to the number 1 spot in the Test rankings. Apart from Gary, Dan also feels that by the time the World Cup arrives, the Netherlands team will be fully determined to cast a formidable impact on their opponents.
Gary Kirsten will play a pivotal role in building the players' characters before they face sides like Sri Lanka, Namibia and the United Arab Emirates in the group stage. The games are scheduled between 16th and 20th October, thus giving a whole year to the side to prepare under their new coaching staff.
As per KNCB’s performance manager, Roland Lefebvre, the players and other support personnel were very happy to welcome both of them. Additionally, he added that now everyone feels a lot more confident about qualifying for the Super 12s, given the quality and expertise both Kirsten and Dan bring to the table.
When asked about picking Gary for the role, Lefebvre did not hesitate to share the coach’s role in leading Gujarat Titans to their maiden IPL trophy.
The team will fly to Cape Town in September to undergo several sessions at the Gary Kirsten Cricket Academy. Dan Christian will closely associate with the Dutch head coach Ryan Cook to instil greater professionalism among the players. Also, he will guide the team on how they can capitalise on Australia's weather conditions while playing during the summer months.
Quite recently, a few of Gary Kirsten’s images have surfaced on the internet where he’s getting to gel with the Dutch players. In several interviews, he admitted that the team has been showing magnificent work ethics and there’s immense potential for success. However, Gary Kirsten seemed a bit concerned about the exposure of most players who hardly got tested on Australian soil. Thereafter, he affirmed how carefully he’s trying to rectify the flaws that became evident during their previous encounters against Ireland in 2021.
Gary Kirsten’s stats as an international coach often raise debates where he's been compared to Jose Mourinho of football. Not only does his expertise as a coach for many national squads speak for him, but his profile also boasts exposure in the Australian Big Bash League.
Even Gary Kirsten’s IPL roadmap has succeeded in 2022, joining the Gujarat Titans side. All these factors have attracted the eyes of the Netherlands national cricket team selectors. They desperately wish to outperform their opponents in Australia’s T20 World Cup tournament, so they’ve picked Gary Kirsten and Dan Christian as their best bet in the mentorship panel.
FAQs
When did Gary Kirsten retire?
The former South African opener Gary Kirsten retired from international cricket back in 2004. Four years later, he joined as the head coach of the Indian national team.
Who is the coach of the Indian team after Gary Kirsten?
Ex-Zimbabwean allrounder Duncan Andrew Fletcher took over the Indian team as their head coach after Gary Kirsten left. He helped India win 2013’s Champions Trophy, registering an unbeaten streak.
Is Gary Kirsten married?
Yes, he’s married. Gary Kirsten’s wife, Deborah Kirsten, is an author cum public speaker who has narrated her life story in the famous book, ‘Chai tea & Ginger beer’.
