A fitting farewell for coach Kirsten

It was his last practice session with the Indian team and coach Gary Kirsten seemed to feel the emotion. The body language said it all, as the South African guided the Indian team through the drills for one last time on the eve of the World Cup final at the Wankhede Stadium.

Kirsten took over the reins when Indian cricket was in a flux three years ago. Having helped the team become the No 1 Test side, the 43-year-old would be keen to bid adieu by leading the side to the pinnacle of ODI cricket. "I am keeping my fingers crossed," Kirsten, whose contract along with that of mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton and bowling coach Eric Simmons comes to an end after the World Cup, told MiD DAY on Friday.

"Irrespective of the outcome of the final, we all know what impact he has had on Indian cricket and the Indian team's dressing room. We will give our best," skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said Friday. Kirsten had earlier told MiD DAY about the reasons for not renewing his contract with the Indian team. "My family has become a priority. It's really tough to stay away from family for a long period of time," he had said then.

 

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