Team is more important than individuals: Kumble
Bengaluru, June 29 (IANS) Newly-appointed Indian cricket team head coach Anil Kumble said on Wednesday that the team is more important than individuals.
Kumble’s appointment was preceded by a lot of controversy. Former India team director Ravi Shastri — reportedly the preferred choice of national Test team skipper Virat Kohli — had accused Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) member Sourav Ganguly of disrespecting him after the ex-India captain left just before his interview for the coach’s job.
But Kumble sought to dismiss speculation about any bad blood between him and Shastri.
“I was the first one to call Ravi (Shastri). It is not about Ravi or Kumble but it is about the team,” Kumble told reporters here.
Talking about the forthcoming West Indies tour, he said India has a good team with the likes of Kohli, Murali Vijay, Amit Mishra and Ishant Sharma having enough experience to guide the youngsters.
Kumble’s current tenure is for one year. But the former leg-spinner chose not to stress on the shortness of the duration, preferring instead to consider it as a journey.
Talking about his role as the coach, Kumble said he knows the responsibilities of being at the helm of the Indian cricket team and clarified that the on-field calls will be made by the captain.
“I am just there to help. I will only assist him and bring the experience,” said Kumble, who was addressing the media for the first time after being appointed as the head coach of the Indian team.
Kumble added that he is looking for maximum outdoor net practice, which would include two practice sessions every day with the morning session starting at 9 am and the afternoon session starting at 2 pm for the preparatory camp of the travelling Indian team.
Shastri did wonderful job, coach’s job not permanent: Kumble
Bengaluru, June 29 (IANS) New Indian cricket team head coach Anil Kumble has no grudge against Ravi Shastri, his main competitor for the post and both are in good terms.
Shastri was a bit bitter over the selection process and had complained that Sourav Ganguly, one of the three members of the BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee with Sachin Tendulkar and V.V.S. Laxman that picked up the new coach, was not present during the interview process.
“It is a privilege to coach the Indian side but he (Shastri) was aware that it is not a permanent position. Nobody is permanent in this role,” said Kumble.
To a question about Shastri being dissatisfied, Kumble said he was the first person to call Shastri up after he was chosen as the head coach.
The legendary leg-spinner emphasised that he was also dropped from the team in the past as a player and was also not chosen for some tours.
“Ravi did a wonderful job as the Indian coach. It is not about Anil Kumble or Ravi Shastri as head coach, it is all about players, the team.”
“Ravi congratulated me and said I had a fantastic young team to train,” he said.
“My point of view is whether it is me or any other Indian who is following the team, we want it to do well and perform at its best. We all believe that potential is there for the Indian team to dominate in all three formats,” the 45-year-old said on the occasion.
Further talking on his coaching assignment, Kumble said, “I have an opportunity to make the difference and be part of the journey where Indian cricket can rise to the level all of us expect it to. Then it will be wonderful. I am honoured to be part of this journey.”