Appointment for a period of one year
AB Wire
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selected former Indian cricketer and test captain Anil Kumble as the coach of the men’s cricket team on Thursday. BCCI President Anurag Thakur and Secretary Ajay Shirke announced the decision in Dharamsala where the board is holding its first annual cricket conclave.
“Given to his immense knowledge and experience, the BCCI is confident that Mr. Kumble will take Indian cricket forward and contribute to its growth and success. The Board is confident that Mr. Kumble will meet the consistently high standards of professionalism set by the Indian team and fulfills the expectations of the followers of Indian Cricket,†a statement in BCCI website said.
Kumble has been appointed for a period of one year. His mission will begin with India’s four-Test tour of the West Indies that starts in the first week of July.
One of the finest spinners of the world cricket ever, Kumble has Anil Kumble is India’s leading wicket-taker in both Test (619) and ODI cricket (337). The 45-year-old cricketer is the third leading wicket taker in world test cricket. Kumble is only the second bowler in Test cricket to take 10 wickets in an innings.
Under Kumble’s captaincy, from November 2007 to October 2008, India won test matches against Pakistan, South Africa, and Australia. His reputation as one of the best test captains of India seems to have played a vital role in getting selected as the team coach.
The cricket advisory committee of BCCI comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman and Sanjay Jagdale the Chief Co-Coordinator received 57 applications as part of the selection process. The committee shortlisted 21 applications and interviewed Kumble, Ravi Shastri, Lalchand Rajput, Praveen Amre and Tom Moody before arriving at the final decision.
India will host 13 Test matches, 8 ODIs and 3 T20Is under the guidance of Kumble in 2016-17.
Earlier, there were speculations that former Indian team coach director Ravi Shastri would be appointed as the batting coach of India. But the board said that it is yet to take a decision on batting and bowling coach.
In a career that lasted for 18 years, Anil Kumble has gifted cricket fast a handful of long-lasting memories. The outstanding achievement of Kumble came on February 7, 1999, at the Feroz Shah Kotla, where he took all 10 wickets for just 74 runs in an innings against Pakistan.
The fourth Test against West Indies at St John’s in May 2002 would be one of the most thrilling anecdotes of world cricket. On the third day of the match, Kumble bowled a thrilling 14 overs with a bandage over his fractured jaw and took the precious wicket of legend Brian Lara.
Kumble’s stunning performance (6/12) helped India win the match and series against West Indies in the final of the Hero Cup at Eden Gardens, on November 27, 1993.
India’s final Test against England at The Oval in 2007 witnessed Kumble’s batting proficiency where he scored his maiden test century. His seven-wicket haul against England at Headingley in 2002 helped India level the series by winning the crucial match.