Sunil Joshi has joined the long list of cricket personalities to congratulate Anil Kumble after he was appointed as team India’s coach.
Calling Kumble perfectionist, Joshi said that Kumble is the right candidate to take Indian cricket forward.
“First of all, congratulations to our Anil,” Joshi told Cricbuzz. “It’s a great appointment from the BCCI. It will be a proud moment for Anil, but there will be a lot of responsibilities from now. Hopefully, he can take all the hard work he has put in and lead from the front now as well.”
“We all know how he has been as a cricketer, and as a disciplined gentleman. I’m sure he’s the right candidate with his technical, tactical and general knowledge about the game.”
While Kumble is undoubtedly one of the greatest cricketers of all time, he is still a novice in the coaching department. However, Joshi did not express too much concern over that and said that Kumble’s past experience shows that he can lead a team with an example.
“I think, for Anil, it’s the right platform. His involvement with the Mumbai Indians during the IPL and Champions Trophy shows what he is capable of. And more than that, he handled the Monkeygate situation in Australia. He led from the front there.
“I think, he handled the team very well when they gave the captaincy to him. He handled the situations so very well. He was a very well-respected captain and cricketer. He has the highest regard for every single player and his knowledge about every player will bring the best out of them. It’s a very good thing for Indian cricket having Anil Kumble as the head coach,” Joshi adds.
While Kumble’s appointment received praise from all quarters, few people have also expressed their surprise on BCCI’s decision to hand Kumble one-year contract. Joshi too expressed his surprise but at the same time, he was confident that Kumble would do well in the limited time.
“One year is too short a time for any coach,” Joshi says. “I’m sure the board will give him a continuation. But I’m sure Anil will do well. He is a task master, as well as a sharp and intelligent person. He will be able to deliver the results.
“Whatever said, Anil Kumble as a cricketer even, received the respect from the opposition and his own team as well. I’m sure he will try to bring a change within each and every player,” he says.
“Anil is a perfectionist, it’s for him to decide,” Joshi concluded.