Titans’ batting coach, Gary Kirsten, yet again showcased his love for India during the practice session ahead of the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League.
Kirsten was team India’s coach when the MS Dhoni-led team lifted the ODI World Cup after 28 years in April 2011. The Gujarat Titans have been training hard in the nets of the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The official social media handle of the franchise posted a special video of Kirsten walking off after completing the practice session. He was carrying fielding equipment on his way back, which was quite heavy.
A team member from the GT took the training gear from Kirsten, to which he jokily asked the staff if he thought he couldn’t carry it. Showing his sheer respect for the legendary coach, the staff member said that wasn’t the case. Kirsten was impressed by his gesture and said, “That’s what you guys do in India, you are always very respectful.”
The franchise captioned the post, “Guru Gary’s love for India.”
Watch the heart-warming video here-
The Gujarat Titans will take the field under the leadership of Shubman Gill, who took over the captaincy after Hardik Pandya was traded back to the Mumbai Indians. The 24-year-old was handed over a crucial responsibility of the team that won the IPL title in their maiden season in IPL 2022 and finished off as the runners-up in IPL 2023. The coaching staff, including Kirsten and head coach, Ashish Nehra, have shown trust in Gill to flourish in the new role for the team. Kirsten pointed out that Gill has been leading the team ‘appropriately’ ahead of the season.
“I think leadership is going to be an important role for him and I know he’s really keen to do the job and we, as coaches, just need to assist him in making sure he’s getting the best out of his players, and he’s leading the team appropriately and in the way we want him to lead,” Kirsten said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
The Gill-led Gujarat Titans will host the Hardik-led Mumbai Indians in a mouth-watering clash on March 24, Sunday at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.