Gary Kirsten admits he is making a reluctant exit from his role as coach of the World Cup-winning India team.
World Cup-winning coach reflects on 'cherished' time
Gary Kirsten admits he is making a reluctant exit from his role as coach of the World Cup-winning India team.
The former South Africa batsman had already announced that he would not be staying on when his contract expired at the end of the tournament.
Many wanted him to remain in charge after the triumph and the 43-year-old said he turned down repeated requests from the Board of Control for Cricket in India to continue as coach.
But Kirsten has made it clear that he will be leaving, although he says that he found it extremely tough to walk away.
"Believe me when I say that this is one of the hardest of goodbyes that I ever had to say," Kirsten said.
Kirsten was a surprise appointment in December 2007 but has led India to the world number one Test ranking as well as the World Cup crown.
"It's been a remarkable journey over the last three years with Team India. This has been one of the most cherished experiences of my life," he added.
Goals
"We set our goals as a team way back in October 2008 -- we wanted to become the No.1-ranked test team in the world and win the World Cup.
"We have achieved both of those goals and the players of both the Test team and the World Cup squad can be extremely proud of this magnificent achievement."
Kirsten, who has been tipped as a candidate to replace Corrie Van Zyl as boss of his native South Africa, says he received offers to coach in the Indian Premier League but has no immediate plans.
"I just want to take a break. Even I don't know what I am going to do next," he said.
The outgoing coach gave special praise to captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who sealed the World Cup win with a magnificent innings of 91 against Sri Lanka in Mumbai.
Kirsten said: "I have never seen a player give as much effort to every game. He is the 100 per cent man.
"I've never seen him lose his temper. He loves taking responsibility and when the team loses, no-one feels it more than him. He is a great leader. He is the captain for the next few years, no doubt."
