BCCI appoint Anil Kumble as India coach for one year

Indian cricket is taking a risk on their new head coach with former captain Anil Kumble named for the job despite only having coaching experience as a mentor of the Mumbai and Bangalore teams in the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament.

Dharamshala: Ending all speculations, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday appointed former India captain Anil Kumble as head coach of Indian cricket team.

Kumble’s first assignment will be the upcoming away series in the West Indies, where India will play four Test matches.

Not surprisingly, previous year too Rahul Dravid had declined to join the advisory committee comprising of Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar, reportedly because of other commitments.

“It’s a great honour to be back in Indian dressing room in a different role”, said Kumble told media persons after the formal announcement was made by BCCI president Anurag Thakur.

Like our Facebook Page to get more awesome content from us. “The Board is confident that Mr. Kumble will meet the consistent high standards of professionalism set by the Indian team and fulfills the expectations of the followers of Indian Cricket”, it said.

Kumble, the world’s third highest wicket-taker with 619 Test scalps, will succeed Zimbabwean Duncan Fletcher, whose term ended in March 2015 after the 50-over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

India have a packed schedule of 13 Tests, which will help the cricket bosses assess how Kumble gels with young Test skipper Virat Kohli who had struck an excellent rapport with Shastri, the team’s director. I think we have used the services of the best players who have served Indian cricket. “It’s about who is the best for Indian cricket”. We took time because we wanted to pick the best. Therefore that is the reason we want to be able to be in a position to review our options should there be any need. It’s a huge responsibility and I have always put my hands up for challenges. He was handed India’s Test captaincy in 2007.

“It’s not about Indian or foreign coach”, Thakur said.