Replace MS at your peril, Kirsten had said couple of months ago

Latelastyear,garykirstenwasinjaipur on a coaching assignment. At a press conference, the former India coach was sure that he would be asked the MS Dhoni question. “I did think it would go to that,” Kirstenhadmuttered.itwaslikethesouth African was a tad surprised that the inevitable question had taken this long to surface.

The answer was one that Kirsten seemed to have rehearsed not just prior to this particular press conference a couple of months ago but for a few years since calling it a day as India’s head coach. “That’s a question I get askedthemosteverytimeicometoindia. Myanswerhasn’tchangedinthreeyears,” hesaid.“ifanyonedoubtshisability,ithink they would be making a grave mistake. You replace MS Dhoni at your peril,” he continued, making it sound like nothing short of a warning. Kirsten was, after all, boththebestandtheworstpersontoquiz abouthowlongdhonihadleftatthehelm of affairs. In addition to his own pedigree asplayerandcoach,healsosharedastrong andsymbioticbondwithdhoniduringhis time with the Indian team. A bond that helped both individuals grow in their respectiveroles.butkirstenissomeonewho always came down hard upon anyone doubting Dhoni’s credentials to continueleadingtheside. Dhoni’s,afterall,someone about whom the former South African opener once said: “I would go to war with this guy by my side.” So it was understandablethatkirstenwasaskedthe question. As always, he didn’t mince any wordswhilethrowinghissupportbehind hisformerpartner-in-crime.“theexperienceihavehadisthatallgreatleadershave great performances until the end of their careers. Till the end. So if you’re willing to let MS Dhoni go, and you know that he might have potentially a great World Cup performanceleftinhim,thenyoutakethe risk of that,” he added. DAKSH PANWAR