Kirsten may coach Mumbai Indians after World Cup

LONDON - India cricket coach Gary Kirsten might take up a similar role with the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians after the World Cup in the sub-continent.

Kirsten’s contract with the Indian team ends after the World Cup and he is unlikely to renew it as he wants to spend more time with his family in South Africa. But a coaching job in the month-long IPL is something that he might fancy.

“Indian cricket had hoped to persuade Kirsten to change his mind about not renewing his contract, but gave up on it this week. Future options for Kirsten could involve the Indian Premier League,” a report in The Times said.

“The close relationship that Kirsten has with Sachin Tendulkar may lead to cooperation between the two at the Mumbai Indians, who are expected to appoint a director of coaching before the next IPL season,” Tne Times said.

“Kirsten could easily take up such a position while still developing his international academy that is in the planning stage at Claremont Cricket Club in Cape Town,” the report added.

The report said that India’s bowling coach Eric Simons, also a South African, may be Kirsten’s successor.

“The Indian cricket board has not yet started a process to recruit a successor to Kirsten, but it is not unlikely that it will approach Simons as a candidate. Simons, a former Proteas all-rounder and national coach, was highly regarded by the Indian team when he came aboard this summer.”