As a coach, it is important to find out what is best for each player: Jacques Kallis

The player turned coach South African great Jacques Kallis is currently enjoying his stint as the head coach of two-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders. The former all-rounder joined the KKR franchise in the 2011 season and made his last appearance in 2014.

The 40-year-old says the switch from playing to coaching has been smooth. “It’s been good fun and I’ve enjoyed it. I always knew I would enjoy coaching because I’ve spent a lot of time helping guys out while I was playing. Being the head coach means a lot more responsibility and work, but it’s been a good journey so far.

Fortunately for me, I know the set-up well now since I’ve been with them (KKR) since 2011.The transition was an easy one. They are a great bunch of players, so they make the job easier. The players are easily manageable and are without egos,” Kallis told TOI on the sidelines of a promotional event in the city on Monday.

After retiring from the game, the former South African all-rounder took up the role of a batting consultant in the previous season. He says that he assumed the role of head coach only after he was done with competitive cricket.

“It has been a lot of time away from home and travelling across the world is tough. There comes a point of time where you are done and I felt that some time ago. I’m still involved with the game and since I’m coaching now, I get to spend more time at home and I’m enjoying this phase,” he added.

A packed two months is what a coach gets to shape a pack of highly talented players who come together from different parts of the world into a successful unit. Kallis believes the job is more of mentoring and managing rather than getting too much into the technicalities of the sport.

“You have to manage each player differently and that is the key. It is important to find out what is best for each player. Traditionally coaching used to be one rule for all but now you have to provide an environment which gives the players the space to produce the best result possible,” opined Kallis.

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