Shamik Chakrabarty, Galle
In March 2008, Gary Kirsten became India coach and remained in the role until April 2, 2011 — the day India won the World Cup at Wankhede Stadium. A certain Gautam Gambhir contributed handsomely to the team’s crowning glory, scoring 97 off 122 balls at No. 3 after India had lost Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar inside the first seven overs of their chase of 275 against Sri Lanka in the final. For Gambhir, though, that knock was not an isolated achievement under Kirsten’s stewardship.
In those three years under Kirsten, Gambhir scored 2,542 runs, including eight centuries, in 24 Tests at an average of 60.52 (career average: 41.95). Before that, he had scored just one Test hundred. In 69 ODIs during that period, the Delhi batsman made 2,608 runs, including five centuries, at an average of 43.46 (career average: 39.68). Gambhir played some of his best cricket when Kirsten was India coach.
Now, Gambhir himself is at the helm of the Indian team, while Kirsten is in charge of Sri Lanka. The two old friends met several times before and during the Galle Test. Did they reminisce about the good times?
“We didn’t do much reminiscing. We actually spoke about coaching and the challenges of coaching, and we both have very strong values around Test cricket,” said Kirsten at the post-match press conference. “So we had a good conversation around that, obviously trying to help our players play the best Test cricket that they can, in both countries.”
He added: “So we spoke about that and I think we have very similar ideas about how we want our teams to play Test cricket. So yeah, we had a good conversation about that.”
Make no mistake, as professional rivals now, no quarter would be given and none would be asked for. India have taken a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series in Galle, but the hosts are expected to respond in Colombo, with the second Test to be played at the SSC from August 23.
Kirsten spoke about making home advantage count. “Four days from now, we start again against a quality team at the SSC,” he said. “It’s a home Test match for us and, you know, it’s nice to have a quick turnaround so (that) we can get back into it straightaway.”
Did he drop a hint about the SSC pitch favouring the home team a little more? Pitch preparation-wise, the next few days could be interesting.
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