Will Gary Kirsten move to South Africa?

Will Gary Kirsten move to South Africa? The issue continues to be in the realm of speculation but Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has dropped a broad hint on Thursday that Team India coach could be looking at options from his home country.

Kirsten, currently, is one of the most highly successful cricket coaches in the world along with Andy Flower of England team.

“Gary has his family here. He has young children with whom he wants to spend time with. Money is important but family is a crucial thing for him,” Dhoni said when asked about his views on the reports of Kirsten taking up a job with the South African team.

Currently, Corrie van Zyl is the Proteas’ coach but he is set to go back to his assignment at CSA’s high-performance centre. There are speculations here that CSA will offer Kirsten van Zyl’s job and there could even be a chance that at some stage during the current India-South Africa series, CSA authorities might discuss this issue with the former national opener.

Asked for his views, CSA chief executive Gerald Majola said it is up to Kirsten to apply for the job. “CSA will advertise the position internationally. We will there-after short list and interview the candidates that meet our requirements. Gary is free
to apply if he wants to do the job,” Majola told DNA.

However, it is clear that Kirsten will not be paid as much as the BCCI pays him. He is believed to be drawing more $30,000 per  month in India.

Dhoni said whether to continue with the team will be Kirsten’s call and no decision has been taken yet. “He has given his best to us. But it is his decision ultimately. Discussions will take place at the right time and in the meantime, we will try to get the maximum out of him,” the India skipper said.

The BCCI, one understands, is not in a hurry. Kirsten has contract up to the World Cup and a lot will depend on India’s performance in the event. The Board might offer to renew his contract if it finds the team’s performance in the World Cup satisfactory.