Team India to go for clean sweep against South Africa: Kirsten

AHMEDABAD - Coach of the Indian Cricket Team Gary Kirsten praised the current squad for showing some splendid performances in the ongoing one-day international (ODI) series against South Africa, adding that Team India would settle for nothing less than a clean sweep against the visitors.

Kirsten lauded the players for not losing guts and coming out of difficult moments to retain the number one spot in ICC test ranking.

“I am very satisfied. I think it has been a very good season for team India to have achieved the number one Test ranking in the world and number two in One Day cricket. We have been immensely proud of our performances over the season; the squad really responded when it needed to respond and that is pretty good,” said Kirsten.

“Everyone within the squad has made some big contributions throughout the season and I think they have been able to handle the big moments and pressure moments very well. Although we had a few disappointments along the way but generally we had lot of success over the season so we can be particularly proud of a team,” Kirsten added.

Kirsten claimed that the Ahmedabad ODI would be played very seriously.

“We will be taking this game very seriously. I think it is particularly exciting day for the young players around, it is the great effort that bring freshness and energy to the team and it is the good opportunity for these young players to show what they are capable of doing,” said Kirsten.

“I think the more that we have these young players responding really well in the pressurising environment of the international cricket is better for the Indian cricket because we are a year away from the World Cup and one may say for sure that we have a decent squad of experienced players as well as the youth,” added Kirsten.

India has however rested Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, opener Virender Sehwag and all-rounder Praveen Kumar for the third and final ODI to be played at the Motera cricket stadium.

Earlier on Wednesday in the second ODI played in Gwalior, Tendulkar became the first player in the history of the game to score double hundred in the ODI format. (ANI)