Anil Kumble says Gary Kirsten will be a great help as India coach when he takes up his role against South Africa.
India captain keen on incoming coach to take team forward.
India captain Anil Kumble says Gary Kirsten will be a great help as their new coach when he takes up his role for the series against his own nation South Africa.
The Proteas play three Tests in India and former South Africa batsman Kirsten will be able to use his knowledge of his own country to try and plot their downfall.
The series, which starts in Chennai on March 26, will be Kirsten's first as new India coach and it could not be a better contest than against his own country.
South Africa go into the series on the back of wins against Bangladesh, the West Indies and New Zealand, but India had success of their own In Australia.
Although they lost their now infamous Test series 2-1, India did win the one-day series and, in amongst all the controversy, pushed the Aussies all the way on the field.
New ideas
As they prepare to face South Africa, captain Kumble believes Kirsten will be a great help as new coach of India.
"(Kirsten) is best suited to tell us the ins and outs of his former national side," Kumble said.
"And the fact that he has played so many internationals - Tests and one-days - makes him an ideal choice as head coach for our team.
"He brings with him a lot of new ideas for all of us.
"We are ready. The venues chosen for the series have good pitches and the contests will be great."
The Indian skipper was impressed with the youngsters in the one-day side that beat Australia, and would like to see how they go in the step-up to Test level.
"It has been a lovely break for us - especially those who returned early from Australia. But now the hard work starts," Kumble added.
"It will be interesting to see them graduate to the Test level, which requires a lot of hard work."
