The man who knows too much

He picked up the pieces,slowly,one at a time. After Greg Chappell left the Indian cricket team in nothing more than broken shards and vegetating ruins,Gary Kirsten was entrusted with the tougest job in the world – resurrecting the Indian cricket team. It happened like clockwork – the demoralised greats returned,sore egos swelled again and needless to say,India flourished.From the stage of fixing and gluing,to the machine-like steel it possesses now,the country’s cricket team has gone from strength to strength under the reservoir of grit and patience demonstrated by Kirsten. Becoming the best ranked Test side was considered a great achievement,until Kirsten showed that consolidating the position was a tougher prospect. But nearing the end of his two-year contract — he hasn’t signed the new offer yet — Kirsten faces his biggest challenge.

India’s dastardly record in South Africa intact,Kirsten has taken it upon himself to train his monster against his country of birth. And suddenly,nobody believes this is just a pipe dream. “With Gary on the Indian side,I will give them more than a chance. That’s the kind of brain he has.They Indian players seem to be enjoying each other’s company and this shows on the field. You can’t just go from fifth to the top without a plan,” says Fanie de Villiers,Kirsten’s team-mate and fast bowler in the Proteas team of the 90s.

Another man following Kirsten closely is older brother Peter. “Not only has the psychological side of the game been strengthened since Gary took over,the current Indian lot look fitter and tougher. Gary has imbibed in them the South African way of preparation,where being physically upto the challenge is as important as technique and ability,” says Peter Kirsten.

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According to those in the know,nothing entices the 43-year old more than being pitted against an equal. While winning in South Africa is the ultimate challenge,beating his former opening partner Andrew Hudson,the convenor of selectors is the secondary reward.

Once the most dreaded opening pair in the world,now they set their effervescent cricketing brains against each other. “Gary epitomises everything strongwilled about the game. From the South African perspective,we’ve chosen the best fifteen in the country to halt the Indian run-away train. And nobody is going to take them lightly. I know Gary well enough to not make that mistake,” says Hudson.

Will Kirsten be able to out think his former side? Peter says if anyone can,it must be his brother. “He thrives in these situations. As a South African,there can’t be anyone better to plot South Africa’s downfall.”

The Indian pieces have been picked,the South African ones remain to fall.