In the last 12 months, India have won a prestigious tri-series in Australia, a tough bilateral one-day series in Sri Lanka, and the big home Test series against Australia. There have been pats on the back and cash bonuses, while time and effort have been spent analysing the reasons for the rise — the contribution of senior pros, a blossoming opening partnership and captaincy have been touted most often.

All the while, one man, remarkably, has stayed in the background. In this team of superstars, Gary Kirsten has managed to stay understated. He has practically shunned the spotlight, maintaining a composed silence amidst the chaos Indian cricket lives in, always pushing the team ahead rather than leading from the front.

The reading from inside the camp is that he doesn’t try to be flamboyant like Greg Chappell, and he’s more assertive than John Wright. One year after his appointment, Kirsten seems to have cracked the code required to be a good Team India coach.

The players say he is more like a good friend, stepping up when required and then quietly withdrawing into the shadows to allow the cricketers their time under the spotlight. While Chappell loved to call the shots and remain the man of the moment during net sessions, Kirsten makes a point to slink into oblivion.

Virender Sehwag lavishes praise on Kirsten, and calls him the team’s finest coach ever. “He’s the best thing to happen to Indian cricket — he’s even better than John (Wright),” Sehwag told The Indian Express on Wednesday. “On a scale of 1-10, I would give Gary a perfect 10. He allows a player space for himself, and he’s very good with man-management. That’s an area where John lacked,” he said.

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