Gary Kirsten to NDTV: 3 Test match series is always ideal

Gary Kirsten, the man who has coached both India and the South Africa can't wait for the two countries to clash in a Test series later this year. Speaking to NDTV, the recently appointed coach of Delhi Daredevils said "India vs South Africa will be a great tour. It will be a mouth-watering series whatever length it is."

It's common knowledge now that India's tour to South Africa has been affected because of the differences between cricket administrators of both countries. The series that was early scheduled to be held between November 2013 to January 2014, will now have to be only a month long affair after the BCCI scheduled India vs West Indies in November and India vs New Zealand in January 2014. So what does Gary think about a 1 Test or 2 Test series, compared to a proper 3 Test match series?

"I think it is always ideal to have a 3 Test match series. I know that's what the players enjoy. But sometimes we need to be realistic, sometimes it is not possible. But I generally think the longer the series the more fairer the result", said the 45-year-old former opening batsman.

Despite media speculations that the South Africa tour might just be called off because of differences between cricket administrators of both the countries, NDTV can confirm that the tour scheduled for December will not be cancelled. A senior office bearer of the BCCI has told NDTV that India will most likely play 2 Tests and 3 ODIs against South Africa compared to 3 Tests and 5 ODIs as was earlier planned. Cricket South Africa CEO Haroon Lorgat is expected to come to India next week to finalise the details.