‘They Were Like, What Are You Saying’: When ‘A Couple of Players’ Doubted Gary Kirsten’s Vision of Making India No. 1

Last Updated:April 13, 2026, 18:14 IST

Yuvraj Singh says coach Gary Kirsten was key to Indias 2011 World Cup win, crediting his leadership for making India number one across formats and boosting players self belief

Gary Kirsten guided India to 2011 ODI World Cup glory

Behind every successful team, there is a good coach. And the Indian cricket fans witnessed it themselves back in 2011 when South Africa’s Gary Kirsten guided the men in blue to ODI World Cup glory on home soil. Everybody knows the success story – how India dominated the tournament at home and went on to lift the cup, giving a fitting tribute to legendary Sachin Tendulkar. But a lot unfolded behind the curtains.

Yuvraj Singh, the legendary all-rounder who was adjudged the Player of the Tournament, recently revealed what Kirsten did to make India a world champion side. Speaking to former England captain Michael Vaughan on Stick to Cricket, Yuvraj said the team needed a ‘good man’ behind them, which they found in Kirsten.

“I think Gary Kirsten was a big influence in that moment. Gary was a good man. We needed a good guy. That’s all we wanted,” Yuvraj said.

“Someone who said, ‘Guys, let’s be one on the park. Let’s be together.’ And Gary was very hardworking.”

The former cricketer further revealed that Kirsten’s plan to transform the Indian team into the best in the world left several members surprised.

“And I think the day he came, he said that in the next four years, till the 2011 World Cup, we are going to be the number one T20 side. We are going to be the number one Test side. And we are going to be the number one ODI side. And a couple of guys looked at each other. ‘What are you saying?’”

“And that’s what we did in the next four years. While Australia was dominating as well. So, I think his intention was good. He is a good man. And he took Indian cricket to a different level,” he added.

During India’s golden run in international cricket, Gary Kirsten’s stint at the helm aligned perfectly with a period of sustained excellence, highlighted by the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup victory and a firm grip on top positions in the rankings across all formats.

Yuvraj, one of the central figures in that dominant side, also underlined how crucial the coach was in nurturing self-belief within the squad, stressing that unwavering trust from the leadership group enabled players to realise and express their potential fully.

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