Thaindian News

Mumbai, April 3 (IANS) The backroom boys worked tirelessly, avoiding the public glare, and the Indian team’s senior players showered wholesome praise on them for their contribution to India winning the World Cup here Saturday.

Th Indian team’s support staff went about their work quietly but in clinical fashion. Only the players know how much coach Gary Kirsten and his dedicated team did in planning strategies and helping players stay mentally and physically fit.

Like India’s first overseas coach John Wright, who is now the New Zealand coach, Gary Kirsten went about his work without any fuss. His carefully picked retinue of support staff also stayed in the background, but made sure that the players were in the zone while on the field and enjoyed their life off it.

Kirsten, a former South African opener, has been with the team since March 2008, and has guided the team to the top of the Test rankings, among several other important triumphs.

He has informed the Indian board that he would like to return home after the World Cup, but surely there would be pressure to retain him come what may and on his own terms. Efforts have been on to persuade him, but his final decision will be known only after the euphoria subsides.

As pointers to the World Cup triumph, 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.

Another South African, Eric Simmons, is the bowling coach, while Paddy Upton is the mental conditioning coach. Besides, 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 indigenous people 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.

–Indo-asian News Service
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