Tag : Kirsten

Mumbai: Gary Kirsten enjoys a special status in India. After all, he coached the national team to the 2011 World Cup title and No 1 ranking in Test cricket during his four-year tenure. The former South Africa opener is a rare coach who is happy to be behind the scenes and not go shouting around town about his or the team's achievements. It has been 10 years since Kirsten quit the India job, but it seems he has still lost none of his magic as coach. Back in the IPL after three years, Kirsten's guidance seems to be paying off for debutants Gujarat Titans who are atop the IPL 2022 points table with eight wins from 10 games. "One thing I have enjoyed is coming in with a fresh start. We, as a coaching group, have been allowed to formulate our best thinking around the playing group without any history in that. That has been a big help. It has been a dream debut for Gujarat Titans, winning eight out of its first 10 games to top the points table and look all set to make the play-offs in their first season in the IPL. How big is that achievement for a new team, especially considering that there were 10 teams this year? I think the big auction has really levelled the teams out a little bit. It is not as if you are coming into the tournament with eight fully established teams and two brand new ones. Having said that, starting everything new is an achievement because we have a new captain, new coaching staff and a new set of players -- to get the wheels turning and finding the balance for the team was a great effort. The coaching staff deserves a lot of plaudits because getting the players ready so quickly for the grind of the IPL is not an easy task. Can you tell us what went into getting the team ready so fast because Gujarat Titans on ...