India experience will help in reviving Delhi's fortunes: Kirsten

The Daredevils might have ended last in IPL VI but former India coach Gary Kirsten feels it is an opportunity for the beleaguered side to do well this season and said his experience with Team India will help him in his new role as head coach of the Delhi Franchise.

"You got to come out and do work hard, give it your best shot. Sometimes, when the team has not done well, that is not a bad thing. Because, you have an opportunity to really improve. I am looking forward to the Delhi Daredevils having a successful future," said Kirsten, who had coached the Indian side to win the 2011 cricket World Cup.

"There is lot of work we have to do. We have to get lot of the pieces of the puzzle in place. I got a bit of experience in India. I am sure it is going to help me. But then, there is no guarantee out there, in terms of performance," he told reporters here.

The Delhi team finished at the bottom of the table in IPL last year and it signed Kirsten as the head coach for a period of three years starting from 2014.

Kirsten said he is excited to take over as head coach for Delhi Daredevils.

"I am looking forward to that. It is nice to be back in India. I love this place. People of India have been good to me. I look forward to the new challenge. It is a different place," he said.

"IPL cricket is different to international cricket. So, I look forward to experiencing that and understanding that. And again, working with some of the young Indian players. I'm looking forward to that. To be in a country that loves the game of cricket like India does, is very exciting."

Asked about cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's retirement, Kirsten said Tendulkar is an icon from whom he learnt a lot.

"End of an era of an icon to the game. It was a privilege to have some time to work with him, with the Indian team. I really enjoyed it. I learnt a lot from him," he said.

Refusing to comment on the recent performances of Team India, Kirsten wished Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men to do well.

"I am not really here to talk about the Indian team. I watch their performances and want them to do well. I credit some good relationships with the guys. I look forward to them doing well," he said.

Image: Gary Kirsten