Gary Kirsten, the well-known South African coach, has become a central figure in cricket discussions as reports suggest he’s being considered for the Pakistan coaching job. Kirsten, who previously coached the Indian and South African teams, has also played significant roles in various leagues and franchises worldwide, currently serving as the batting coach for the Gujarat Titans in the IPL.
With his impressive coaching career and credentials, it’s no surprise that Team Pakistan is interested in Kirsten leading their white-ball formats, possibly with Jason Gillespie taking over the Test team. However, if these reports are true, it raises questions about Kirsten’s existing IPL contract and whether he can manage coaching duties in both India and Pakistan at the same time.
Given the tense relations between India and Pakistan, it would be difficult for Kirsten to balance coaching roles in both countries, especially during the IPL season when the Pakistani team typically plays bilateral series. This situation forces Kirsten to make a challenging decision between coaching in India or Pakistan.
Traditionally, the BCCI has offered more lucrative deals to coaches, making it an appealing option for foreign coaches. However, there have been instances, like Aussie Shane Watson declining an offer to coach Pakistan, showing the allure of coaching in India.
Furthermore, the treatment of foreign coaches by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could also concern Kirsten. Previous coaches like Grant Bradburn and Mickey Arthur faced scrutiny and eventually resigned following the team’s poor performance, indicating potential job insecurity for Kirsten if he accepts the Pakistan coaching role.
Until the Gujarat Titans renew Kirsten’s contract, it remains uncertain whether he’ll be able to pursue coaching opportunities in Pakistan. If Kirsten does decide to leave, the Gujarat Titans will need to start searching for a new batting coach to replace him.
