Proteas coach, Indian Players: Deadly combination for a trophy

Whether it's Gary Kirsten in cricket or Craig Fulton in hockey, along with Paddy Upton coaching both teams, these South African coaches have achieved remarkable success with the Indian teams. They have won all the major competitions and transformed the players' personalities, which will benefit them in the long run.

Let's see what's in the DNA of these coaches which makes them so successful.

Gary Kirsten

The situation was not favourable when Gary joined.

1. Despite winning the T20 World Cup, The Indian cricket team, led by Rahul Dravid and coached by Greg Chappell, faced a significant setback in the 2007 World Cup. They suffered an unexpected early exit from the tournament, losing to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the group stage.

2. The team was facing challenges with leadership and coaching. Greg Chappell's tenure as coach was controversial, marked by disagreements with senior players like Saurav Ganguly.

3. The team was in a transitional phase, with some senior players like Anil Kumble retiring and emerging new talents like MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, and Suresh Raina.

4. The team was struggling with its overseas performance. They lost a series in South Africa (2006-07) and edged past West Indies.

5. The Indian cricket team was under intense scrutiny from the media and fans, and with the IPL coming up in 2008, most players' focus shifted towards T20 instead of Tests and One Day.

Craig Fulton and Pady Upton

Before the involvement of Paddy Upton as the mental conditioning coach and Craig Fulton as the head coach, the Indian men's hockey team had experienced a period of fluctuating performances:

1. The team underwent multiple coaching changes during this period. Coaches like Michael Nobbs, Terry Walsh, and Roelant Oltmans had short stints, which led to a lack of continuity and stability.

2. The Indian hockey team won the bronze medal (the first in 41 years since the Moscow Olympics) by defeating Germany 5-4. This victory was a major milestone, reviving the legacy of Indian hockey on the global stage.

3. The team participated in the FIH Hockey Pro League and showed a mixed bag in the performance. Their performance was marked by several strong victories against teams like Argentina and Spain and some losses, particularly against Belgium and the Netherlands.

4. Despite winning the silver medal in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, India lost 7-0 against Australia, highlighting the gap between them and the top teams.

5. Despite having high hopes for the World Cup 2023, the team faced a disappointing exit in the crossover stage after losing to New Zealand in a penalty shootout.

Both coaches had some commonly associated challenges.

1. The pressure of media and public opinion in India is immense. From news critics to online trolling, the criticism can be brutal and can impact the mental health and motivation of the team.

2. Many Indians pursue sports not just out of passion or love for the sport but also the monetary benefits associated with it. The mental pressure to succeed becomes significant for them since they don't have any backup career options besides sports.

3. Communication can be challenging when players from remote areas who don't have a command of the English language have to play under foreign coaches.

4. Politics and sports are closely intertwined in India, with coaches often dealing with political pressures, funding, and personal favours.

Both coaches, Fulton and Kirsten, effectively overcame all challenges. Fulton prioritized establishing trust as the cornerstone of team performance, a key factor in their accomplishments, such as winning an Olympic bronze medal. Meanwhile, Kirsten focused on nurturing a culture of mutual commitment among the players. The teams were united by Paddy Upton, who concentrated on enhancing the mental resilience of the players. Prior to the Paris Olympics, Paddy and Fulton organized a trip to the Swiss Alps for the Indian hockey team, which enabled them to compete with confidence in the games. This excursion not only strengthened team cohesion but also helped the players overcome mental barriers and encounter new experiences.

Paddy always said, "Being a successful team always requires more than talent. It requires a shared vision, strong communication and a culture of mutual support and accountability".

However, there is a twist in the tale. Hockey and Cricket are both popular and well-supported sports in India. Whether it's the IPL or Hockey League, players are well compensated thanks to corporate sponsorships and media attention. It would be intriguing to observe how the involvement of Proteas in team sports such as Football and Basketball contributes to their success.