IPL 8: When DD coach Gary Kirsten was caught off-guard...

India's 2011 World Cup-winning coach Kirsten, who coaches Delhi Daredevils, admits the unique pressure of handling an IPL team

New Delhi: Delhi Daredevils' chief coach Gary Kirsten yesterday said that he was caught off-guard in respect to the demands and needs of coaching a franchise in T20 leagues like the IPL as the team finished last in the table in 2014.


Delhi Daredevils coach Gary Kirsten during the last IPL. File pic 

Asked if he was not in sync with the demands, Kirsten responded in positive. "Yeah could be. It's a good observation. I think I was without a doubt (caught off-guard).

Lessons learnt
"I learnt a lot from last year that IPL is different to international cricket. It takes a bit of getting used to for any coach," Kirsten said during a media interaction after his team's training session at the Airforce ground in Palam.

Among the problems that Daredevils faced last year, Kirsten felt that not having proper back-up was an issue. "Physically, it's a demanding tournament.

Last year, we didn't have great back-up. But we do have some good combinations this year. It's about getting our thinking process right."

Asked why Zaheer Khan, who has not played for a year, was picked, Kirsten attributed the move to the pacer's experience.

"Experience is the one word. He would be working in a space with some good youngsters around. I want him to play a kind of mentoring role within the team. He obviously wants to keep playing and has some aspirations in his game." Kirsten reminded that Zaheer knows that he has to prove his worth.

'Banking on experience'
"He is aware that he needs to prove his worth. He has great experience and good ideas of T20 bowling. I am expecting that he will be fit for the first match," said the former Proteas opener.

While Zaheer will be "mentoring", Kirsten also batted for newly appointed bowling mentor Alfonso Thomas, who according to the coach will be there for two weeks.
About the team's multi-million dollar signing Yuvraj Singh, Kirsten was quick to point that he was the one who wanted him in the team.

"I had a great experience working with Yuvraj in the Indian team. He is fit as he has ever been. I really wanted him as he is from this part of the world. I don't think there is a guy more motivated than Yuvraj."

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