A TALE OF TWO COACHES

As South Africa’s players celebrated and posed for the shutterbugs after their victory against England, one man definitely was missing from this revelry. The man who, without any recrimination, can be penciled in as the architect of this win. The man whom Indian cricket owes a lot to, too. Gary Kirsten, India’s erstwhile coach and the current coach of Team South Africa. 

Kirsten played a pivotal role in India’s World Cup triumph last year. Since his departure, things haven’t really gone well for India. Not that we are pointing fingers here or hinting at names. 

One usually gets a false impression of the man; unassuming and almost detached, as he stood proudly watching the celebrations at Lords. But beneath lies a shrewd and clever student of the game. Someone who has the knack of uplifting the game of even seasoned players, let alone fledglings.  Case in point, Jacques Kallis. 

One of the finest all-rounders of the game, Kallis was showing signs of wear and tear. Kirsten worked mainly on his bowling, re-worked on his pace and suggested he bowled in shorter bursts. It worked. And Kallis the batsman; he simply needed few encouraging words from the coach, and he was ready to uncoil for the kill. 

Kirsten surely is the man with the Midas touch. Weaving his magic wherever he goes. Irrespective of the team and players. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said of his Indian counterpart, Duncan Fletcher. After a much hyped appointment, things haven’t really gone right for Fletcher. Though recommended by his predecessor, he hasn’t really lived up to anyone’s expectations. 

India is a very different ‘ball-game’ altogether. Here, one has to be ‘liked’ to be in one’s good books. By now, Fletcher would have understood what I just meant.  He should’ve embraced the people and the country. As a mentor, it’s more important than being effective and unpopular. That luxury lies with the captain. 

Overseas series losses, in England and Australia, haven’t helped Fletcher’s popularity, especially after the World Cup high. It’s a while before India plays an overseas series of some repute, where it can redeem its lost popularity and ratings.  November 2013, to be precise, as India travels to the land of Springboks. 

Fletcher has his job cut out. But will he be able to meet the expectations and match his predecessor, only time will tell.