Gary Kirsten, head coach of the Indian team, was not specifically consulted before the Board decided to do away with Robin Singh and Venkatesh Prasad on Wednesday, and it remained unclear whether he would have any say in picking their replacements.
Kirsten, whose contract ends in February next year, has often questioned the wisdom of having a full-time fielding coach, on the basis that there is little time for a specialist to work with the players in the midst of a busy season. When this was suggested soon after Kirsten took over it caused a bit of a stir, but eventually Robin's services were used.
Kirsten, instead, is understood to be in favour of using an expert who could come into the set-up for short, sharp camps, on a consultancy basis. Someone like Jonty Rhodes, widely acknowledged as someone who redefined modern fielding, and is keen to share his knowledge, could be an ideal candidate. Earlier this year Rhodes was in negotiations with Delhi for a short stint, but nothing came of it.
If the Board decides on appointing a full-time bowling coach, Kirsten would be happy to work with someone like Eric Simons, who was the left-hander's team-mate at Western Province and has since gone on to coach various teams including South Africa, and most recently the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Several Indian players were impressed with Simons' work in the IPL team, and this could work in his favour. If the Board decides against a full-time bowling coach, and instead want only consultants, someone like Allan Donald, who recently gave up a job at Warwickshire, could become a frontrunner.
{{/usCountry}}If the Board decides on appointing a full-time bowling coach, Kirsten would be happy to work with someone like Eric Simons, who was the left-hander's team-mate at Western Province and has since gone on to coach various teams including South Africa, and most recently the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Several Indian players were impressed with Simons' work in the IPL team, and this could work in his favour. If the Board decides against a full-time bowling coach, and instead want only consultants, someone like Allan Donald, who recently gave up a job at Warwickshire, could become a frontrunner.
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