NEW DELHI: World Cup-winning former India coach Gary Kirsten has taken up a new role as a consultant for Namibia’s men’s national teams, strengthening their support staff ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup.
Kirsten will work closely with head coach Craig Williams, helping shape the team’s preparations and strategy as they gear up for the global tournament, which is set to take place in India and Sri Lanka in February–March 2026.
“It is indeed a privilege to work with Cricket Namibia. I have been thoroughly impressed with the dedication and determination to create a high-performance cricket environment,” Kirsten said in a Cricket Namibia statement.
EXCITING NEWS … Cricket Namibia CEO Johan Muller announces the appointment of Gary Kirsten as a consultant to the national men’s cricket team. Video: Helge Schütz pic.twitter.com/j9I7Gw8PoP
— The Namibian (@TheNamibian) December 5, 2025
“Their new state-of-the-art cricket stadium is a testament to their commitment to making sure their national teams are competing with the best cricket countries in the world.
“Their senior men’s national team is performing well, and I look forward to adding value to their preparation for the T20 World Cup in February next year.”
A former South African opener, Kirsten moved into coaching after retiring in 2004 and took charge of the Indian team in 2007. His tenure is best remembered for guiding India to their iconic 2011 ODI World Cup triumph.
He went on to coach South Africa and has since been involved with multiple T20 franchise teams across the globe. Most recently, Kirsten had a short spell as head coach of Pakistan’s men’s team in 2024.
“Kirsten’s appointment as consultant reflects Cricket Namibia’s commitment to strengthening its high-performance environment and supporting the existing coaching structure,” a statement from the board said.
“His blend of international playing experience, coaching success, and passion for player development brings valuable insight and added depth to the Eagles [men’s national team] setup.”
Namibia have qualified for each of the last three T20 World Cups in 2021, 2022 and 2024 and are also in contention for the upcoming edition. They will be one of the three host nations for the 2026 tournament along with South Africa and Zimbabwe.
(With PTI Inputs)
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