Coaches come later, it’s always players first: Anil Kumble

Having been anointed Team India coach for a year, former skipper Anil Kumble’s first words was that he was honoured to be back in the Indian dressing room.

On his challenging role, Kumble said: “It’s a great honour to be back in Indian dressing room in a different role,” he was quoted as saying.

The 45-year- old Kumble, Indian cricket’s most successful bowler with 619 Tests and 337 ODI scalps added, “It’s a huge responsibility, (am) ready to take this role. Coaches come later, it’s always players first. (The) strategy will be to win.”

Kumble, who will be in his first stint as coach at any level, however got the nod owing to his vast experience having mentored IPL sides Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians.

In the end, Kumble’s hands-on approach to the game and the fact that he retired just eight years ago saw him get the nod over Ravi Shastri and 20 other high-profile applicants for the top position.

“Have a short and long plan for the upcoming series, but I cannot plan alone; need players to pitch in,” said Kumble, former chairman of the National Cricket Academy and BCCI’s Technical Committee.

Meanwhile plaudits poured in for Kumble from far and near.