Former Indian off-spinner and the 2011 World Cup winner, Harbhajan Singh, has publicly asked his friend and the former Indian coach, Gary Kirsten, to quit the post as the head coach of the Pakistan men's cricket team. In a hard-hitting post on social networking site X, Harbhajan suggested he'd prefer to see Kirsten working with Team India, than "waste time" with Pakistan cricket. 

Harbhajan's comments came on the back of reports from the media in Pakistan that claimed Kirsten was unhappy with the disunity of the Pakistan team in their dressing room. Kirsten, the South African coach, was said to have expressed his frustration with the team and that it had proven difficult to coach a team "where the players are separated, left and right."

On social media, Harbhajan said, "Don't waste ur time there, Gary. Come back to coach Team INDIA. Gary Kirsten, one of the rare gems, is a great coach, mentor for everyone in the 2011 team. Our winning coach of the 2011 World Cup. Special man, Gary."

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Harbhajan Singh wants Gary Kirsten back with Team India

Pakistan's early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024, after being eliminated by the groups, as the preliminary round is called, has put both players and management under the microscope. The tournament marked Kirsten's first major assignment with Babar Azam and his men since he was appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in early May.

In a reported quote from Kirsten by Pakistani journalists, the coach said, "There’s no unity in Pakistan’s team. They call it a team, but it isn’t a team. They aren’t supporting each other; they are working as individuals. I have been with teams, but as a coach, I haven’t seen that."

Kirsten's legacy of Indian cricket, on the other hand, has been golden. Under his watch, India won the 2011 World Cup, concluding a 28-year drought of a major ICC trophy, and reached the No. 1 ranking in Test cricket for a period of time. Before embracing the Pakistan role, Kirsten concluded his duties during the IPL as the mentor of the Gujarat Titans.

Harbhajan making the call so openly recognizes there is still a lot of respect and admiration Indian players possess for the man who helped shape arguably one of India's greatest triumphs on the cricket field.

As Virat Kohli, the former ODI captain, reaches Australia for the upcoming three-match 50-over series down under from October 19 at the Optus Stadium in Perth, there are still fresh speculations of whether the veteran would continue to play the 50-over format till the next World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

During a recent podcast with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Kohli recalled the suggestion from the former Indian World Cup-winning captain, MS Dhoni, and the head coach, Gary Kirsten, ahead of the home World Cup 2011. That was the early stage of Kohli’s career, having made his debut just two years ago against Sri Lanka.

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“Gary and MS made it very clear to me that we are backing you to play at number three. And this is what you can do for the team. What you represent on the field, your energy, your engagement, that's one of the biggest values to us. So we want you to play that way.” Kohli expressed during the interaction.

Virat Kohli reveals what MS Dhoni and Gary Kirsten told him ahead of ODI World Cup 2011

Kohli wasn’t the most renowned player when he joined the national side. But over the years, with his match-winning performances, he collected fame and became one of the top performers of the Blue Brigade.

“I was never looked upon as an outright match-winner who could change a game from anywhere. But I had this thing where I'm going to stay in the fight, I am not going to give up. And that is what they backed. So that very thing God blessed me with that helped me improve my game and technique.” Kohli addressed.

“I have never been shy to admit that I was not the most technically sound, naturally gifted player. I evolved a lot while playing because I was keen on learning, very keen to get better. I wanted to be the best. There's no denying I wanted to be the best. And that hunger, that desire to keep improving and eventually win more games for your team, is what helped me improve my game.” The Delhi-born concluded.

Former India pacer, Irfan Pathan has showed remorse recalling his snub from Indian team back in 2009. Pathan was dropped from the New Zealand series in 2009 and he has lamented saying that the move came despite his match winning performance alongside brother Yusuf Pathan in a T20I against Sri Lanka.

While discussing missing out on a place in the Indian team, Pathan recalled the conversation with the then Head Coach, Gary Kirsten and did the guess work as to who was behind his snub from the team. He also took into account that the captain’s decision was also crucial behind the decision. Irfan Pathan, while addressing his surprising snub from the team also added that Kirsten posed himself as helpless in the situation. The left arm pacer also further said that Kirsten was vocal about his inability to influence the decision.

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“In New Zealand, I was benched for the first match, the second match, and the third match as well. The fourth match was a draw because of rain. I wasn’t in the final match either. Then I asked Gary sir why I had been dropped. If there was something I needed to improve, he could tell me, but I wanted to know the reason I was left out,” said Pathan in conversation with The Lallantop.

The playing XI is decided by the captain’s choice: Irfan Pathan

The former India all rounder also said that Gary Kirsten had given him two reasons, mentioning that there were things not in his control. Pathan explained that those were Kirsten’s exact words, and when he asked whose control it was in, Kirsten did not reveal it. However, Pathan already knew whose control it was in. He stated that the playing XI was decided by the captain, along with the coach and management, and at that time, MS Dhoni was the captain. Pathan added that he would not comment on whether the decision was right or wrong, as every captain had the right to run the team in his own way.

“Kirsten gave me two reasons. He said, 'There are things that are not in my hand.’ Those were Gary’s exact words. I asked whose hands it was in, but he didn’t tell me. I already knew whose hands it was in. The playing XI is decided by the captain’s choice. The decision rests with the captain, coach, and management. Dhoni was the captain at that time. I won’t get into whether that decision was right or wrong, because every captain has the right to run the team in his own way,” he added.

Former Indian player Irfan Pathan’s arrival in international cricket created a wave of excitement. At just 19, he made his Test debut in Australia, a challenging stage for any youngster, and impressed instantly with his swing, pace, and precision.

His rise was quick — within a year, he earned a place in the ODI squad and soon became a fixture in all three formats. He was even part of India’s historic first T20I in 2006 against South Africa, cementing his reputation as a versatile all-rounder.

However, 2009 marked a turning point. Having already lost his Test spot the previous year, Irfan suffered another setback when he was dropped from the ODI team after a series against Sri Lanka. At that time, ODIs held far greater prominence than T20Is, making the blow even harder. The exclusion forced him into a three-year absence from the 50-over format, stalling the promising momentum of his career.

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Irfan Pathan Recalled the Incident of His ODI Dropout:

When Irfan Pathan returned to the ODI squad in 2012, India’s fast-bowling scene had evolved, with players like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma securing their spots. Facing intense competition, he played only 12 more ODIs before gradually fading from the international stage, ultimately bringing his career to a close with his retirement in 2020.

Five years after retiring, Irfan Pathan opened up about the reasons and events that caused his exit from the Indian national cricket team. The left-arm pacer, also known for his lower-order batting, disclosed the explanation he received for being dropped and revealed that then-captain MS Dhoni made the decision to remove him from the squad, marking a turning point in his career.

While sharing the story in an interview with TheLallantop, Irfan Pathan said, “ It was back in 2009, when we were in New Zealand. Before that, my brother (Yusuf Pathan) and I had won matches in Sri Lanka. The situation in which we had pulled a win – if it had been anyone else in our place, they wouldn’t have been dropped for a year. In that match against Sri Lanka, we needed 60 runs from just 27–28 balls, and we won it from there.”

He added, “ In New Zealand, I was benched for the first match, the second match, and the third match as well. The fourth match was a draw because of rain. I wasn’t in the final match either. Then I asked Gary sir why I had been dropped. If there was something I needed to improve, he could tell me, but I wanted to know the reason I was left out.”

Irfan Pathan Talked About What Gary Kirsten:

Irfan Pathan stated that during Gary Kirsten’s coaching tenure, it became evident to him that MS Dhoni influenced the decision to drop him from India’s team. This moment confirmed his doubts about the circumstances surrounding his exclusion from the team.

He further said, “ Kirsten gave me two reasons. There are things that are not in my hand.’ Those were Gary’s exact words. I asked whose hands it was in, but he didn’t tell me. I already knew whose hands it was in. The playing XI is decided by the captain’s choice. The decision rests with the captain, coach, and management. Dhoni was the captain at that time. I won’t get into whether that decision was right or wrong, because every captain has the right to run the team in his own way.”

He concluded, “ The second answer was that they were looking for a batting all-rounder at No. 7. Fair enough — my brother was a batting all-rounder, while I was a bowling all-rounder. The two were different from each other, but there was only room for one in the team. Nowadays, if you ask whether two all-rounders are needed, people would gladly take both.”

Former India head coach Gary Kirsten has come out in support of Shubman Gill as India’s long-term captain in Test cricket. Gill was handed the reins following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format, and while his tenure has started with highs and lows, he has impressed many with his batting form. Despite India trailing 1-2 in the five-match series against England, Gill has amassed a remarkable 607 runs in just three Tests, underlining his class at the top level.

Kirsten, however, believes that leadership goes far beyond individual performances and has emphasized the importance of man-management. “Well, it's early days. I think he's got great potential. Captaincy is a whole lot of things that you've got to put together. He's a great thinker in the game. He's a good player himself. But there's a whole bunch of things you've got to get right. And I think man management is going to play, like any leader,” Kirsten told Rediff.com.

He drew parallels with MS Dhoni’s leadership style and pointed out what Gill needs to emulate. “Dhoni was an incredible man-manager. If he can get that component of his leadership really fired up, I think he has all the credentials to become a great captain for India,” Kirsten added.

Greg Chappell: Old Trafford Test Gill’s Biggest Leadership Test

Echoing similar sentiments, former India head coach Greg Chappell believes the upcoming fourth Test at Old Trafford will be the ultimate test for Gill—not just as a batter but as a leader. “The Old Trafford Test is shaping up to be the biggest examination yet for Gill—not just as a batter, but as a leader. He's learning on the job, but the timeline is not generous. He must bring composure, clarity, and confidence to a side that desperately needs it. And he must do it now,” Chappell said.

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He also highlighted the importance of emotional balance and backing actions with planning. “That doesn't mean he can't show emotion. In fact, his passion on the field at Lord's was good to see. But actions like getting into Zak Crawley's face over time-wasting only matter if they are backed up by the hard work done behind the scenes. A captain earns the right to be loud when he's already done the quiet work of planning, uniting, and inspiring his group,” Chappell concluded.

India’s former coach from the 2011 ODI World Cup-winning campaign, Gary Kirsten, has dropped a huge story that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors were not prepared to select Yuvraj Singh for the event. He called it a ‘flipping close’ besides informing how he and the captain of the side, MS Dhoni, were keen to get the all-rounder in the squad. 

Yuvraj ended as the Player of the Tournament, as it ended India’s 28-year-old drought of winning an ICC title since the 1983 Prudential trophy. The pressure was huge on the Indian side as no team had won the title at home before that season. Moreover, it was the last chance for Sachin Tendulkar to keep his hands on the glorious medal.

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‘Thank goodness we picked him because it was flipping close, he was. It was not a slam-dunk selection. The selectors kind of debated around the 15 players. I was very keen to have him in the team, as was Dhoni, because of the experience that he brought to the group. And look at the World Cup he ended up having.’ The former South Africa batter expressed during a recent interaction on Rediff.com.

Gary Kirsten recalls story of how MS Dhoni forced the BCCI selectors to pick Yuvraj Singh  

Yuvraj smashed 362 runs in eight innings of the tournament at an average of over 90, besides picking up 15 wickets with his part-time bowling, thanks to an economy rate of just over five. He also scored three successive half-centuries in the group stage of the competition, besides a match-winning fifty against Australia in the quarter-final.

'I was always very fond of Yuvraj. We had this kind of great relationship where, like, he used to frustrate the hell out of me sometimes, but I just loved him. He was good. I just want him to be scoring runs all the time because when I watch him bat, it’s just amazing to watch. But there was a journey he had to walk, and credit to Paddy.’ Kirsten added that Paddy Upton did a lot of work with the Punjab-born to hold his shape.

In the final, MS Dhoni decided to put himself up the order over Yuvraj Singh to counter Muttiah Muralitharan’s off-spin. It was the renowned, well-discussed six to end the game for the Blue Brigade and lift the title.

Tumultuous—Gary Kirsten preferred to use this word to describe his brief tenure as the head coach of Pakistan. The coach, who made India the champion in the ICC ODI World Cup 2011, was hardly able to make any impact as the Pakistan team coach. But why did he leave the job so early, and how was the experience? Kirsten shared all his experience in a recent interview. 

The former cricketer said that he was barely able to shape the team through a correct process, as there was too much influence over the team from the outside. That made the job hard for Gary. Kirsten also revealed that as a coach he did not have the power to select players for the international side. 

One step further, he also claimed that the influence over the team was from non-cricket persons, which harmed the team. Through the interview, the experienced coach advised the officials to allow the coaches to work freely, without any influence from the outside. 

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Here's what Kirsten said about his stint as Pakistan's head coach

"It was a tumultuous few months. I realized quite quickly I wasn’t going to have much of an influence. Once I was taken off selection and asked to take a team and not be able to shape the team, it became very difficult as a coach then to have any sort of positive influence on the group," the former Pakistan coach said in an interview recently. 

He further added, "If I got invited back to Pakistan tomorrow, I would go, but I would want to go for the players, and I would want to go under the right circumstances... Cricket teams need to be run by cricket people. When that’s not happening and when there’s a lot of noise from the outside that’s very influential noise, it’s very difficult for leaders within the team to walk a journey that you feel like you need to walk in order to take this team to where it needs to go."

Coaching a cricket team requires a combination of calmness, aggression, clever decision-making, and strategic thinking. A coach is criticised if his team loses. Cricket has witnessed some of the finest coaches since the game was introduced, and there have been coaches who have made a big statement through their bold decision-making and ability to motivate their players.

This piece discusses the 10 best coaches in world cricket who have successfully led their teams to some emphatic wins. The coaches mentioned in the list varied in their strategies, decision-making, and team selection process, but they were more than effective with their mentoring. We discuss these 10 coaches in detail:

1. John Buchanan

Buchanan guided Australia to two World Cups in 2003 and 2007 after being appointed as the coach in October 1999. Under his guidance, Australia dominated world cricket as Ricky Ponting was at his best as the captain. Buchanan helped Australia win the Champions Trophy in 2006. He coached some of the best players who helped Australia register some famous wins.

2. Gary Kirsten

The former South African batter was appointed the coach of the Indian team in 2008 after India's disappointing exit during the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies. Under his guidance, India beat Australia at home 2-0 during the test series.

 He helped the men in Blue win the triangular ODI series in Australia. Under Gary Kirsten's guidance, India won the bilateral series against Sri Lanka in 2008 and also won the test series as well as the ODI series against New Zealand in 2009 in New Zealand. He helped India win the 2011 50-over World Cup.

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3. Trevor Bayliss

England cricket went through its worst after being knocked out in the quarter-final of the 2015 World Cup in Australia by Bangladesh. After Bayliss was appointed, English cricket went through a rebuilding phase under captain Eoin Morgan.

 Bayliss helped England make it to the 2016 T20 World Cup final, but his biggest achievement would be the 2019 50-over World Cup that the Three Lions won. Players like Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler were at their best under his guidance.

4. John Wright

The former Kiwi International completely changed the Indian players' temperament by working closely with captain Sourav Ganguly. John Wright laid the platform of the current Indian set-up, and his bold decision-making making combined with his clever strategies, helped India win abroad.

The famous 2002 Natwest final against England, where the likes of Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif showcased their never-say-die attitude. Players like Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, etc were groomed under him. India made it to the 2003 World Cup final and also managed to equal the test series in Australia in 2003-04.

5. Gary Stead

Gary Stead will be remembered as the most underrated coach, yet he has yielded positive results. The 53-year-old helped New Zealand make it to the 2019 limited-overs World Cup final as well as the 2021 T20I World Cup final. Under his guidance, New Zealand won the 2021 World Test Championship and also managed to make it to the 2025 Champions Trophy final. He helped New Zealand beat India 3-0 in India in a 3-match test series.

6. Dav Whatmore

Whatmore's confident and clever selection of team combination made him of the best coaches, despite not achieving greater heights as a player. he helped Sri Lanka win the 1996 50-over World Cup and helped them dominate world cricket. When he took over his post as Bangladesh coach, everyone was surprised when Bangladesh beat Australia in an ODI match in 2005. Bangladesh beat India in the 2007 World Cup match that shocked everyone.

Pakistan's white-ball formats head coach, Gary Kirsten, has raised alarms about the heavy workload of their star fast bowler, Shaheen Afridi. Afridi, who is currently playing for the Lions in the Champions One-Day Cup, has bowled 19.5 overs so far, taking five wickets at an average of 24. Kirsten’s concern comes as Pakistan prepares to face England in a three-match Test series starting on October 7, with Afridi’s fitness being crucial for their success.

Afridi rested to manage workload

Afridi was recently rested for the second Test against Bangladesh to help manage his workload. With a packed schedule ahead, including the crucial Test series against England, Kirsten highlighted that both Afridi and Naseem Shah have been shouldering Pakistan’s bowling burden across formats. He emphasized the need for proper rest to keep these key players fit and firing.

“Fast bowlers are always under immense pressure to deliver and win games. When we look at our key resources, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah have carried the bulk of the workload for Pakistan across all formats,” said Kirsten on commentary during the Champions Cup game.

“I saw a stat the other day that Shaheen has bowled three times more overs than any other fast bowler in the world over the last 18 months. That's alarming — you’re bound to wear him down eventually,” he added.

Afridi's recent performance and stats

Although Kirsten mentioned that Afridi has bowled the most overs among fast bowlers in the last 18 months, this claim is inaccurate. Australia's Mitchell Starc holds that record, having bowled 531.3 overs since March 2023, while Afridi ranks fourth with 455.1 overs. However, Afridi has been the most prolific wicket-taker during this period, claiming 96 wickets in 54 innings at an average of 24.19. Despite these impressive numbers, Afridi will be keen to improve his Test performance, having taken only five wickets in five Test matches over the last 18 months at an average of 40.81.

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As Pakistan seeks their first Test win at home since February 2021, Afridi’s performance will be key in their upcoming campaign against England.