Kirsten to join India for last 2 Tests in Aus

However, India's new cricket coach will be effectively taking over the job from Mar.

India's new cricket coach Gary Kirsten will be effectively taking over the job from March though he will lead the Indians to Australia later this month.

HT Image

He, however, will leave them for the first two Tests owing to existing commitments in South Africa before rejoining the team for the final two Tests.

India's interim coach, Lalchand Rajput, is tipped to coach the side in Kirsten's absence on the tour of Australia.

Speaking to the Australian daily "The Age", the former South African opening batsman said he did not want to impose his ideas on the team and would like to help the players on the tour Down Under.

"The last thing you want to do is come in and be a distraction, but I have spoken to Indian captain Anil Kumble about my situation, and he is comfortable with me joining the tour again later," Kirsten said. "I will not be coming in and imposing my ideas on them. That would be wrong. Instead, I will try and blend in and help any way I can.

Kirsten explained that he could not have taken up the job straightaway because of his commitments as the Indian cricket board approached him quite late.

"The reality is that I was approached quite late by the Indian board, and in accepting the job, I told them that I had commitments over Christmas and New Year. But it looks like we are close to resolving that issue now, and I will join the team for the last two Tests."

On the surface, Kirsten seems an unusual appointment for the Indians. With no head-coaching experience at any level, but with a two-year stint as Cricket South Africa's high-performance-manager, he is still confident of making a positive impact in what is widely regarded as one of the most high-pressure jobs in international sport.

"I take plenty of confidence from the fact they approached me, and obviously believe in what I can bring to the team," he said. "Over time, I will look to put some new ideas to the players, but I will not be doing that midway through the tour of Australia.

"It will be a transition period. There might be a bit of media around me leaving, but after speaking with Anil, we don't think it will be a distraction."

Kirsten on Australia tour

Kirsten has also predicted his batsmen will look to exploit the uncertainty surrounding Australia's spinning position during the four-Test series this summer.

Kirsten said the uncertainty surrounding Stuart MacGill's availability, coupled with the relative Test-match inexperience of his would-be replacement Brad Hogg, could prove a boost for the tourists.

"They've obviously had Shane Warne there for many years, and he was able to fill a lot of jobs for them, most notably his ability to strike and take wickets in all conditions and situations," Kirsten said.

"Now there is a possibility that Australia may play an inexperienced spinner, and I'm sure the Indian batsmen will look to put pressure on whoever that turns out to be. If India can do that successfully, Australia could play into the visitors' hands. They have got a good record against Australia, and I think the guys are feeling pretty confident heading into the series."

Kirsten, though, was wary of making any boastful predictions against the world champions, whom he played against on 18 occasions in the Test arena, losing 10 of those matches.

"I'm always very wary of an Australian team that seems to have a few holes in it," he said.

"They have plenty of depth, and in a lot of cases have the players to replace those who have left. Someone like Hogg is a good example, having played a lot of one-day cricket, and he could do a good job. Still, there seems to be uncertainty there, so you have to look at it."