Will he, when he, or won't he!

The way it is all happening, it won't be a surprise if Kirsten eventually chooses not to accept India's job. In a telephonic conversation with NDTV two days ago, the former South Africa opener categorically told that he was yet to make up his mind on the issue. If it turns out to be another embarrassing no, well that will leave BCCI with ''nowhere to hide''! And, in fact, it will be quite befitting for the clandestine way the whole coach selection affair has gone.

Kumble Praises Kirsten

Meanwhile, Indian skipper Anil Kumble has praised Kirsten as ''tough competitor". He said Kirsten's skills as player will be an asset to Indian team. But the problem is that even Greg Chappell was an extremely skillful player, and certainly better than Kirsten. And he was also a member of a very successful team, which was second only to the West Indies in late seventies and early eighties.

Is Kirsten already worried about Australian Tour


Meanwhile, In an exclusive interview with ESPN's SportsCenter India, the former South Africa batsman has said that though the plan was to get involved with the team during the Australian series, it was not intended to be on full-time basis.

To Sportscenter, he said the reason was that the notice had been very short and ''I have some long-standing commitments that I need to honour through to December and January. It’s with a view to starting full-time on March 1, if I sign the contract.”


Now the best way out for Kirsten will be to come up clearly with the nature of these commitments. Else people might think he wanted to get on with the Indian team only after the toughest series in the World was over. Already, a report published today says he is likely to join the Indian team in Australia only after the 2nd test. Sooner this confusion is cleared, the better it will be.