Champions pitch for Kirsten

There were no dry eyes during the team meeting with coach Gary Kirsten in the dressing room after India won the World Cup on Saturday night. Bidding farewell to the South African hasn’t been easy for Team India’s cricketers. While the players had always been vocal about wanting Kirsten to stay back,the World Cup win has forced them to once again ask their coach to reconsider his decision.

According to members of the Indian team,they are trying to convince the BCCI to make a final attempt to retain Kirsten as head coach. Kirsten,Team India’s most successful coach,had resigned well before the World Cup saying his job prevented him from spending time with his family.

But,according to Man of the Series Yuvraj Singh,the players are still in the process of convincing Kirsten to consider a likely return.

Story continues below this ad

Speaking to The Indian Express,Yuvraj said: “We never wanted Gary to leave,but we all know what his reasons were. So we respected his decision to spend time with his family,especially because we,as cricketers,know what it is like to be away from our families. But we will tell the BCCI to convince Gary to come back,after taking a break.”

Ratnakar Shetty,BCCI’s chief administrative officer,said: “Kirsten has asked for a break and the BCCI has welcomed his decision. It is too early to say anything else. We will see what can be done when the situation arises.”