It's not easy to replace Kirsten: Shane Warne

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Even as he reportedly expressed a desire to coach the Indian team, Australian spin legend Shane Warne on Tuesday said it will be difficult for India to find a suitable replacement for coach Gary Kirsten.

Kirsten steered India to World Cup glory and the side also became the number one Test team under his guidance.

The former South Africa opener decided against extending his contract with the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) to spend time with his family.

"He is a quality person and it would be hard to find a replacement for him. Under him Indian team has reached the number one spot in Tests and won the World Cup.

"He is a fantastic coach and a quality person. Anyone who takes on now onwards will enjoy working with Indian team. He would find things a lot easier because Indian has a good side now," Warne told reporters here at a function to release the new jersey of the IPL Franchisee Rajasthan Royals.

Warne, who is the coach-cum-captain of Rajasthan Royals, is quite hopeful that his side will re-produce the magic of the inaugural edition when they went on to claim the title.

"We have almost similar set of players with experience and also few promising youngsters. I have same feeling as that of IPL-I and believe we can surprise everybody once again," he said.

Talking about the team composition for the new season, Warne said they have replaced injured England batsman Paul Collingwood with Kiwi all-rounder Jacob Oram.

"Collingwood had injured his left knee and we though that he would just not be available for the few initial matches of the IPL-4. But now as he is to undergo surgery, he certain to be out of the tournament.

"We will miss him but Oram is a handy addition for us. He has been in fine form during recent World Cup and his presence would give us more depth," said the legendary leg-spinner.

Talking about Sachin Tendulkar, Warne said that it would have been a grand finale if the Indian could have scored his 100th international century in the World Cup final.

"Sachin is my old friend. It would have been wonderful had his 100th international ton had come in the World Cup final. He has been in fine form for past few months," he said.

Asked about his more or less true World Cup predictions, specially the India-England tied result, he said, "I was coming out of the hotel and saw the match in a close balance. With both sides good enough I thought it might end in a tie. It had started as mere fun only."