Kirsten checks in :)

It official guys, Gary Kirsten has agreed to become the coach of the Indian cricket team. Gazza (Paul Gascoigne shares the same nickname) as he was popularly known amongst his teammates n to cricket fans around the world has accepted the world's richest cricket body's offer.Though he joined the Indian team on Dec 4th 2007, he will officially start as the India coach from March 1st 2008, what with familial concerns n prior home assignments preventin him from takin up the job full time now.

It remains to be seen how much of a help, rather an influence (and a +ive one @ that..no digs @ Mr Chappell) will Gary be to the Indian team which boasts of stalwarts like Sachin, The Wall n Dada, who have a combined match experience (tests n ODIs) more than the entire current South African team put together. Kirsten, mostly like his more illustrious predecessor, Mr Chappell will face the difficult job of gellin' into the suncontinent cricketing ethos and social fibre before he begins to bond with the team...(the inability to understand this was what sounded the death knell for Mr. Chappell and this was where Mr.John Wright did fabulously well).

And this is where Mr. Dav Whatmore wud have made a better and a more prudent choice as Team India's coach, he being a keen student of the game and havin plenty of experience @ the topmost level (havin' coached the Lankans and having taken the Bangladeshi team to great heights) under his belt, wud have slipped into the new role like a fish takes to water...but as it is, things are not meant to be so, with the powers to be @ BCCI deciding otherwise much to the chagrin of cricket lovers n critics alike.

This whole new coach thingy has an ominous feel to it, I feel...what with some senior members expressing their unhappiness @ the choice of coach, the coach himself seemin reluctant to join early (call it a bad timing or what :O )..anyway whatever it is, one thing is sure..Gary's trial by fire has begun. The first test under Gary starts on Boxin day with the formidable Aussies for opponents..so here's wishin Gary n the Indian team all the luck in the world (they 'll need all of it) and I jus hope that Gary proves me wrong :).