New Delhi, December 5:

Former South Africa batsman Gary Kirsten has signed a two-year deal to coach India, a top cricket board official said on Wednesday.

“Kirsten has signed the contract, he will take over the new assignment on March one next year,” board secretary Niranjan Shah said. The deal was sealed after all the issues relating to Kirsten’s appointment were sorted out on Tuesday, paving the way for the former opener to occupy the hot-seat, vacant since the exit of Australian Greg Chappell in April last year.

Shah said Kirsten will meet the players in Bangalore, venue for India’s third and final Test against Pakistan on December 8-12. “Kirsten will be spending a couple of days with the Indian team in Bangalore during the third Test against Pakistan,” he said.

“He will be with the Indian team in Australia as a consultant for a couple of weeks before taking over full-time in March when India host South Africa.” India are to leave for Australia on December 17 to play four Tests and a limited-over tri-series, with Sri Lanka as the third team.

Kirsten, 40, told the cricinfo.com website that he would be honoured to take charge of the Indian team. “It is a huge honour and I’m looking forward to the challenge with as much enthusiasm as any challenge I’ve ever faced. I know how big the job is and I know it

won’t be easy, but it’s also something I really want to do, and do well,” he said.

Kirsten, who who quit international cricket in 2004 after scoring 7,289 runs in 101 Tests, also said he was excited about the prospect of India facing his home country in his first match as coach.

Pathan recalled

NEW DELHI: Pacemen Irfan Pathan and Vikram Raj Vir Singh were included on Wednesday in India’s 14-member squad for the third and final Test against Pakistan starting in Bangalore on Saturday. The duo will take the place of new-ball bowlers Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel. While left-arm paceman Pathan last played in a Test for India against West Indies in June 2006, Singh was part of India’s playing eleven against Bangladesh in May this year. India lead the series 1-0 after winning the opening Test by six wickets and drawing the second in Kolkata. — AFP