Kirsten confident of maintaining peace in Indian dressing room

New Delhi, May 15 (UNI) Despite the rancour which may have cropped up between Harbhajan Singh and S Sreesanth after the 'Slapgate' incident, Indian coach Gary Kirsten is confident that he will be able to mantain peace in the dressing room when the duo plays for the country.

''The idea that it will be a problem having the two of them together in the squad is crazy,'' Kirsten was quoted as saying by cricketnirvana.com.

''I would like to think me and Paddy (Upton) have enough management experience to cope with anything like that, if it ever did become a problem,'' he added.

The former Proteas opener was ready to forgive Harbhajan and Sreesanth, stating that both are committed and passionate players and the incident only occurred in the ''heat of battle''.

''They are both very passionate cricketers who, ironically, are as similar off the field as on it. On the friendly side of the boundary rope I have found them to be extremely friendly, inoffensive and helpful people,'' Kirsten said.

''But when they cross the line, literally, they become very passionate and committed their blood boils quickly in the heat of battle.'' Kirsten informed that Harbhajan was sorry about his actions.

''I had a long telephone chat to him recently and he knows he made a big mistake. I think he wanted to know where he stood with me and I was able to reassure him that I wanted him in my team,'' he said. ''He's still concerned but he's desperate to put it behind him and move on. He made a bad error of judgments and he's very determined that it won't happen again. And I think he realises the consequences if it does.'' The coach, however, wanted the temparamental off-spinner to maintain his passion and intensity on the field.

''He's a passionate cricketer and I want passion in the team, India needs passion to win,'' Kirsten remarked. ''Of course, it has to be controlled and ill-discipline is not acceptable.'' ''There is a difference between sporting aggression and plain loss of temper, and he knows that,'' he added.

Stating that both 'Bhajji' and Sreesanth should realise the error of their ways, Kirsten said it is high time the duo reform their conduct.

''... They have both made mistakes and they know that. Harbhajan has paid an enormous price for his latest indiscretion and I honestly have no doubt that he has learnt his lesson this time around,'' he said.

Harbhajan had slapped Sreesanth after an IPL between Kings XI Punjab and Munbai Indians at Mohali last month after being allegedly proved by the Kerala speedster.

UNI AB RAR ND1810