Indian board to extend Kirsten's contract

The Indian board (BCCI) has confirmed it will extend the contract of Gary Kirsten, India's coach, after his term runs out next month. Rumours have been circulating that Kirsten - who signed a two-year deal in March 2008 - was a frontrunner to take over as South Africa's coach but he has denied being approached by his home country's board.

"He [Kirsten] will continue his stint with the Indian team," the BCCI president Shashank Manohard told DNA. "We will renew his contract."

Kirsten told the paper he had not been contacted by Cricket South Africa.

Under Kirsten, India moved to No. 1 in the ICC's Test rankings and they have won six of their last seven bilateral ODI series.