We will set an Indian brand of cricket : Anil Kumble
Jun 29, 2016 at 2:38 PM
India’s new head coach Anil Kumble took his first press conference after being appointed as Indian coach. Kumble said, “being again back in the Indian dressing room is something special.”
Kumble has retired from Indian team in 2008 as a captain. He has taken 619 Test wickets and 337 ODI wickets.
Talking on his first overseas tour as a coach, Kumble said that Indian team is confident to win the four-match series in the Caribbean. “We are going to West Indies to win series, the team is confident.”
The Indian team has started their preparation for West Indies tour at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore. India have won their last two Test series against South Africa and Sri Lanka under the new coach Virat Kohli.
Kumble said, “We are confident ahead of West Indies series.”
The former leg-spinner has already spoken to India’s Test and limited over captain and draw a blueprint of India’s success. Kumble said, “have spoken to MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli at length about the future roadmap: Anil Kumble.”
He also praised former Indian team director Ravi Shastri.
Talking about the Ravi Shastri, who was second most strong contender for India coaching job, Kumble said, “Ravi Shastri did a wonderful job when he was team director.”
He also snubbed the debate who would be India’s better coach. But Kumble said, “It is not about Ravi or Kumble – we all want Indian team to perform.”
Meanwhile, he said players will always be at the front and the coach and support staffs will away from the limelight. The successful Indian coaches like Gary Kirsten and John Wright has always worked from behind the scenes and delivered a huge success. So Kumble has already said that he would like to emulate Kirsten and Wright. Kumble has played under both Wright and Kirsten.
“Players will be in the front, the coaching and support staff will be in the background,” Kumble stated.
With India to play 17 Test in the 2016-2017 season, Kumble wants to set a brand cricket in his one hour tenure. After the four-match West Indies series, India will play 13 matches at home against New Zealand, England, and Australia respectively.
“We play 17 Tests next year. We want to make sure we put in a brand of cricket that makes people want to watch us,” said Kumble.
Kumble has been given a one-year tenure. When asked about his future as a coach he said, “I haven’t thought about how long I would be the coach. I never thought like that when I was captain.”