Thaindian News

Mumbai, April 3 (IANS) When the Indian team carried aloft on their shoulders coach Gary Kirsten during their victory lap after their World Cup triumph, it was an acknowledgement of the major role the former South African cricketer and his support staff had played in realising the nation’s dream of winning the trophy.

The core of the support staff had been carefully picked by Kirsten himself and the unit tirelessly and meticulously worked around the team. They went about their task in a quiet and clinical fashion, away from the public and media glare.

Kirsten, a prolific scorer in international cricket and a veteran of 100 Tests, took charge of the Indian team in March 2008, almost a year after Greg Chapell’s reign as Indian coach ended following the team’s lacklustre performance in the previous World Cup when they could not even make the knockout stage.

The first person that Kirsten chose was mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton, who is also a coach at Kirsten’s cricket academy at Cape Town.

Upton has worked as the physical fitness trainer for the South African cricket team and the rugby team of Western Cape Province and Kirsten was keen on roping him.

Another South African, Eric Simmons, was appointed the bowling coach in January 2010 after the Indian cricket board sacked Venkatesh Prasad and Robin Singh as the bowling and fielding coaches after India’s early exit from the Twenty20 World Cup in England and the Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Simons, who played 23 ODIs for South Africa in 1990s, was the bowling adviser for the Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL team in the second IPL, which was played at South Africa.

Mike Horn, a South African explorer, has been on-and-off with the Indian team, inspiring the players with his motivational talks.

After experimenting with foreign physios and physical trainers, the Indians now have their own filling up these slots. While Nitin Patel is the physio, Ramji Srinivasan is the physical trainer. Ramesh Mane, affectionately called “Manekaka” by the cricketers, is the masseur, while former Orissa Ranji Trophy player Ranjib Biswal functions as the media manager.

Kirsten and his dedicated team planned strategies and helped players stay mentally and physically fit and cope with the pressure. India reached new high during their tenure, reaching the top of the Test summit and now winning the World Cup.

No wonder that every player, including Tendulkar, was effussive in praise of the support staff for the enormous work they have put in.

Their effort was not lost in the big moment when India won the World Cup Saturday, defeateing Sri Lanka by six wickets, for the second time in 28 years.

Tendulkar, who savoured the sweet moment after playing six World Cups, understands that without the help of support satff the team would not have reached its goals.

“I want to thank Mike Horn. The sessions with him were of immense help. Also I want to thank Gary Kirsten and Paddy Upton. They have to be given the credit as they instilled a bit more self belief in us. We have been very consistent during the last two years and this is a result of that,” Tendulkar said.

Nobody would have been more happier than Kirsten, who has always stayed in the background, making sure that the players were in the zone and enjoyed their life off it.

Kirsten has taken India to the top of the Test rankings, among several other important triumphs. He has said that he would not like to extend his contract after the World Cup, but surely there would be pressure to retain him. Efforts have been on to persuade him, but his final decision will be known only after the euphoria subsides.

“It has been a great occasion for everyone. I am honoured to be with the Indian team. The players are fantastic,” Kirsten said.

Under Kirsten, India first defeated Australia 2-0 in a Test series at home last October and then rallied to hold Sri Lanka 1-1 in an away series. Kirsten’s effect was seen in the team winning a Test series in New Zealand after 40 years.

India also won the Compaq Cup, beating Sri Lanka in the finals. Under Kirsten, the Indian bench strength was also strengthened, and a confident young team blanked New Zealand 5-0 in the runup to the World Cup. They drew the Test series 1-1, but lost a close ODI series 2-3.