Kirsten to get a fatter pay cheque!

Gary Kirsten could not have asked for more.

The South African, who has been appointed coach of the Indian team, has been offered a whopping salary of $30,000 per month, according to sources in the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

That is exactly 50 per cent more than what his predecessor and Greg Chappell was drawing per month from the BCCI. Kirsten, who confirmed to the BCCI about his acceptance on Wednesday, will also be getting free accommodation during his two-year tenure.

Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, said Kirsten would take over the reins from March
1. "Gary will be with the Indian team in Australia as a consultant for a couple of weeks, probably after the second Test match," Shah said.

The South African would be with the Indian team in Australia as a consultant. He will be visiting Bangalore on December 7 to spend “a couple of days with the Indian team.”