KXIP head coach Anil Kumble has urged West Indies star batsman Chris Gayle to take the mentorship role while playing in the team. The 40-year-old veteran batsman has been part of the Punjab based team since the 2018 season and has been very important for them. Gayle has been consistent with his form for KXIP scoring 368 runs in his first season and 490 runs in the last season.

The KXIP squad are having their training sessions in UAE after they completed their mandatory quarantine. New coach Anil Kumble would look to win the Punjab based side their maiden IPL trophy. Kings XI Punjab started off both 2018 and 2019 campaigns strong but lost track in the later stages and failed to book a place in the playoffs.

I want Chris Gayle to be active on the mentorship role: Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble wants Gayle to be active on the mentorship role for developing young players who look up to him in the squad. The veteran can show the young guns the right way to succeed with his vast experience in the sport.

“Chris has a major role even as player and even otherwise. His leadership, his experience, the youngsters look up to him. It is not just Chris the batsman we are looking at but Chris in a leadership role in terms of his contribution to developing young players. I want him to be active on the mentorship role,” Kumble told India Today.

Image Credits: Twitter

Anil Kumble wants to see more Indian coaches in the IPL

The former Indian spinner is the only Indian head coach in the IPL and opined that he would like to see more of Indian coaches in the league. He said it was ironic that the Indian Premier League has only one Indian head coach.

“I would like to see more Indian coaches in the IPL. It is not a true reflection of the Indian resources. I would want to see many Indians being part of the IPL as head coaches. “It is a bit of an irony — one Indian as head coach. I think at some point of time there will be a lot more Indian coaches.The reason I have taken up (the role) is that we have a great squad to go all the way. My role is preparing the team to achieve success. I don’t want to go too far ahead, one game at a time.” he said.

Anil Kumble (Image Credits: Getty Images)

Anil Kumble feels temperament will be the key for the players on the field. He told, they should be focusing on themselves rather than the other teams to achieve their target.

“It was my first time meeting with the whole squad. Because of the COVID situation (and bio-bubble), we are able spend more time with the team than usual. That way we have been able to understand not just seniors but even the younger lot. Temperament will be key.It is about holding nerves. There will be moments, IPL it is not a smooth ride always. We need to focus on what we can achieve, not worry about other teams. We are confident we would be able to achieve that,”

Kings XI have made some strong decisions this year, with letting Captain Ashwin leave, KL Rahul will captain the side this season. IPL 2020 will begin from September 19 till November 10, a total 53-day campaign will see all the eight teams play in UAE.