Anil Kumble's appointment as India coach is a 'Jumbo' leap forward

For the next one year, Anil Kumble will guide the Indian cricket team's fortunes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named the legendary leg-spinner as the head coach in Dharamsala on Thursday.

Kumble's first tenure will begin with the four-Test series against the West Indies beginning on July 9 and run until the ICC Champions Trophy in England. It will only be a formality that Kumble's contract will be renewed at the end of the one-year term as India will, by then, be setting their sights on the 2019 ICC World Cup.

His appointment as coach would mean him spending a lot of time away from home and the 45-year-old Kumble, who is nicknamed Jumbo, is ready to do that with the support of his family. When Kumble took up the commentator's role for the home series against South Africa last year, this correspondent asked him if he would get down seriously into the new role. He mentioned that it would mean time away from home, and that he would do commentary only for that series.

Thus, for him to have applied for the head coach post and pip other candidates including former team director Ravi Shastri means that he has given it considerable thought. The moment Kumble threw his hat into the ring just before the June 10 deadline for submitting applications, he became a serious contender for the post, even threatening Shastri, who had good results during his 20-month long tenure leading up to the World T20 and also formed a formidable partnership with India Test captain Virat Kohli.

The fact that the former India captain does not have any coaching experience at first-class or international level nor does he have a coaching certificate – two important criteria set by the BCCI – did not matter in the end.

Here is where the crucial Cricket Advisory Committee that included his contemporaries Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman need to be commended. They went for Kumble's immense knowledge and sincerity towards the game, besides his never-say-die attitude. Of course, the fighting spirit has already been inculcated into the current team by Kohli and Shastri, and it is for Kumble to take it forward and make them reach greater heights.

A veteran of 403 international appearances and the highest wicket-taker for India in both Tests and ODIs at 619 and 337 wickets, respectively, there could not have been a better choice than Kumble, who toiled for the country for 18 years from 1990 to 2008 and has been a premier match-winner.

It will be strange coincidence that Kumble will debut as India coach with the first Test in Antigua, where he famously bowled with a broken jaw in 2002. Kumble is known to put his heart and soul into whatever he does. He gave it more than 100 per cent for India during his playing days and there's no doubt that he will do the same when guiding the young Indian team in the coming months.

That Kumble has played with Kohli for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) when the former's career was coming to an end and the latter's was beginning to blossom will only make for smooth transition for Kumble. Also, the former leggie has captained some of the current Test players.

In touch with modern game

From being the president of Karnataka State Cricket Association to chairing the BCCI technical committee, the ICC Cricket Committee to mentoring Mumbai Indians and RCB in Indian Premier League and even commentating, Kumble has been in constant touch with the game and has voiced his opinions at various platforms.

His immediate task, though, will be victories in the West Indies besides the important home Test series against New Zealand, England and Australia. It may seem that Kumble will be on an easy wicket as India will be up against a struggling West Indies followed by 13 Tests at home. But none of them can be taken for granted.

Kumble may not have the experience of coaching a first-class side but his immense international experience as a player, observing how the previous coaches went about their roles and mentoring IPL teams will only hold him in good stead. Besides, his role would be more about managing the players, talking them out of tough situations, boosting their confidence and most importantly, let them express themselves naturally.

And, the players know that they cannot slack in effort when Kumble, a hard taskmaster, is around. What also helps is that there is not a vast age difference between Kumble and the players and unlike a foreign coach, there will be no problems in communicating individually with players in Hindi.

Becoming the first Indian head coach after Kapil Dev briefly served in that role in 1999-2000, Kumble has a golden chance to go on to prove that great players can also make great coaches. Given his love for challenges, he is unlikely to fail.

DID YOU KNOW?

Anil Kumble is the first Indian to be appointed head coach of the national team since Kapil Dev in 1999-2000

WHAT THEY SAID

You don't need a coaching degree, all you have to be is a good man manager. Kumble brings into table a lot of determination, experience and intelligence
--Sunil Gavaskar

Jumbo news 4Team India.Congrats @anilkumble1074 To have a coach who cud play wid broken jaw wud be an inspiration fr guys in dressing room
--Virender Sehwag

He has been a match-winner for India. He has a great record and that speaks for Anil Kumble as far as winning matches for India is concerned
--Anurag Thakur

Anil Kumble the new Indian coach. Wonderful news for a great man! Best wishes, buddy!
--Kevin Pietersen

Anil Kumble will be an excellent organiser and a top team man. And knowing him, he will respect the fact that the captain runs the team.
--Harsha Bhogle