Why Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten Did Not Get Second Stint With Indian Cricket Team?

Gary Kirsten on Sunday was named the ODI and T20I coach of the Pakistan cricket team ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. The high-profile appointment has been made just ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 which will start from June 2.

Pakistan's shambolic performance in the ODI World Cup last year is one of the main reasons why the PCB has roped in a proven coach like Gary Kirtsen. The former South Africa opener was the head coach of the Indian cricket team which won the 2011 World Cup under MS Dhoni. Gary Kirsten is also the mentor of Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL.

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Notably, Titans won the IPL trophy in their maiden attempt in 2022, and were the runners-up last year. He also worked with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as their batting coach and then head coach.

Despite being connected with Indian cricket through IPL, the 56-year-old never had a second stint as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. Considering India have not won a single World Cup (ODI or T20) since 2011, fans have been left wondering why Gary Kirsten did not have a second stint with the Indian cricket team.

BCCI preferring for Indian coaches

One of the reasons behind it could be the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) preferring Indian coaches over a foreign one. After Duncan Fletchers' stint ended in 2015, Sanjay Bangar, Anil Kumble and Ravi Shastri and now Rahul Dravid have filled the position.

Hectic Schedule of Indian cricket team and lucrative IPL contracts

Another reason could be the extremely hectic schedule of the Indian cricket team. At a time when India are playing two teams simultaneously, one could imagine the number of matches the Men in Blue play in a year.

Serving as the head coach of the Indian cricket team is considered one of the toughest jobs in the cricketing world, and having already been in that spot once, Gary Kirsten knows the dedication needed for the role. At this age, Kirsten could prefer to spend more time with family.

A third reason could be the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) contracts. The BCCI does not allow India coaches to participate actively in the IPL. Rahul Dravid had to leave his IPL coaching job when he got associated with the BCCI.