Looking forward to working with Team India one day: Klusener

The image of Lance Klusener, with short-cropped hair and beads around his neck, bludgeoning hapless bowlers for sixes is etched in the memory of every Indian cricket fan of the mid-1990s to early 2000s. When he wasn't smacking the bowlers around the park, Klusener would be steaming in at the batsmen, picking useful wickets in the able company of the likes of Alan Donald. The 1999 World Cup is, undoubtedly, the moment of glory for the South African all-rounder. Indeed, his career wasn't as prolonged or as glittery as his teammate and fellow all-rounder Jacques Kallis's was, but Klusener has had his share of highs and lows representing the Proteas.

It was a very different looking Klusener we saw making his way towards the middle of the Feroz Shah Kotla ground after the limited overs match between Delhi and Saurashtra in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. He is Delhi's consultant coach this season, courtesy some persuasion from Virender Sehwag. Gone is the lean and mean Klusener. What you get is a coach with a shaggy beard and hair covered with a floppy hat, on a slightly thickset frame. But the familiar ease which marked his cricket was still there as he answered a few questions from the media.

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Klusener is not a novice in coaching. Apart from coaching stints with Cricket South Africa and Zimbabwe, he has been coaching Twenty20 teams in Bangladesh Premier League, Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), and now Delhi. He made no bones about his wish to be associated as a coach with the Indian team one day. Excerpts:

How do you feel when the term all-rounder gets stretched so much these days?

For us growing up, all-rounder was a seam bowling animal that could bat a bit. Now you throw in keepers and spinners. For me, an all-rounder is a seam bowler who can bat, maybe at number 7 or 8. Hardik Pandya, for instance, is learning. We need to show confidence in him. A guy like Jacques Kallis had to learn for a long time before he started to average 40. So, I think we are always looking for quick fix, but there's nothing better than experience. Certainly from an Indian point of view, given the love, kindness and opportunity he has got, Hardik needs to perform but he is in good hands where he is now.

Virender Sehwag wanted you as a full-time coach for Delhi but you are only here as a consultant.

Yeah, I had a chat with my friend. But I think it was about making sure we get the timing right. Viru [Virender Sehwag] is a good friend. I am very grateful for the opportunity Delhi is providing me.

Quality [of the Delhi team] is amazing. Shots [the players play are] amazing. I have been with Zimbabwe for two years. This team is much more talented than some national teams!

I don't want to go home with anything less than silverware. Every team I have been with, except in the TNPL, I have won trophies. I have told the boys that much. They are under no illusions.

How was your interaction with Delhi skipper Gautam Gambhir? In India, the captain calls all the shots.

We want to focus on ourselves, play to the best of our ability, and not worry too much about the opposition. I guess it is also about taking responsibility. The boys have been together as a group for a while now. They are talking about leaving a mark on domestic cricket. Everybody wants to take things forward.

I have a lot to say. I even told the old fox Gautam that I will teach him new tricks. I come from a culture where it's a team effort. Luckily, Gautam and I speak from the same book—about what we want to do or achieve.

I like India. I have been part of TNPL for two years now, and it has been fun. I guess Indian cricket has quality players now. It's nice to be part of that. I take a lot of joy in working with quality players. I am looking forward to working with the Indian team one day.

What do you plan to add to the skill set of these domestic cricketers?

The sweep shot was played thrice here for 11 runs. At times, it was played to manoeuvre the field. Indian cricketers are reluctant to play the sweep shot. I will try to convince them that it's not a bad idea.

On the first day of your job, what's your assessment of working with a domestic team in India?

It's a learning curve for me. I think the talent here is unbelievable. Saurashtra were a little bit tired today, but I am not taking anything away from the Delhi team. There are little things that we need to work together on, and look at while going forward.

This team can do better and win the competition. That's why I am here—to help them win it.