It was not just the England team that left the Indian shores following the terror attacks in Mumbai. Team India’s South African coach Gary Kirsten too left for home
Currently in South Africa, India coach says he is waiting to hear from the BCCI
MUMBAI: It was not just the England team that left the Indian shores following the terror attacks in Mumbai. Team India’s South African coach Gary Kirsten too left for home after the abrupt end to India’s ODI series against Kevin Pietersen & Co.
However, Kirsten is waiting to come back and resume his duty. “I’m waiting for a word from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI),” Indian coach told DNA from his home in Cape Town. He had gone back to South Africa with his wife Deborah and two little children.
Kirsten was not willing to discuss trauma that he underwent after the attacks, particularly in the Taj Hotel, where he stays whenever he is in Mumbai, but the South African says he has never thought of not coming back to India. “I will be back soon,” Kirsten stated categorically. “I’m ready.”
Kirsten, however, opened up to the local media stating that those were tense times for him. “It is obviously a concern with my family in South Africa. I do think about it a lot but we have decided that if the security team gives go ahead, I will return,” he said.
Kirsten also revealed that the Indian players were deeply affected by the events. “They are obviously perturbed by the situation. There are obviously safety concerns that need to be seen first but the players want to play cricket. It’s difficult when politics is mixed with sports but the guys took great confidence from the one-day series victory and would like to continue that momentum into the Tests,” Kirsten said, hoping that the England team will be back in India soon.
The Indian coach, however, has said that he would not be able to attend the selection committee meeting taking place in Chennai on Thursday. “I’m aware of that. I am waiting to hear from the Board about it,” he said. When asked if he would be sending his inputs to the selection committee, Kirsten said he would. A member of the selection committee also disclosed that they would be taking inputs from the coach before selecting the team.
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