Captain calls the shots: Coach Anil Kumble

Skipper Virat Kohli with coach Anil Kumble at the preparatory camp in Bengaluru on Wednesday. (Photos: Shashidhar B.)

Walking in energetically on the dot at 12.30, Anil Kumble had a spring in his step. Moving past his well-wishers and acquaintances in the media, Team India’s new head coach, barely two hours into his new role, was bright and forthcoming. The first day of the Indian camp which runs until Monday ahead of the West Indies tour, was more of a meet and greet with the players.

The 45-year-old Kumble, currently on a one-year run, spoke at length on his first official media briefing since taking over the mantle last Thursday.

‘I will get close to the bowlers’ At this point in time, I thought I can get close to the bowlers, for a start. Yes, we are considering options, I don’t want to say that because this is my first trip as coach with the team and I’d like to observe and try and see how the team is shaping up. I thought that with the bowlers, it is the strategy that I can certainly play a part of, trying to get closer to the bowlers, understanding what their needs are and then looking at probably bringing in, if you are looking at a fast bowling coach I think is what you are trying to say — there are considerations that I am thinking of but at this point, I don’t know if it will be possible to take someone to the West Indies. But if that doesn’t happen, then certainly I am keen to look at the bowlers. I feel that that is certainly an area where I can contribute a lot more.

‘This fielding unit stands out’ The fielding of course, I didn’t add to that when I retired (laughs). I think that’s what stands out. They are all young, the average age is 25-26 and they’ve already had experience of playing at the highest level. Virat has played close to 40 Tests, Ishant has played 60 and he's only 27-28, so there is experience and there's youth. It's nice to see that mix. It's nice to come back into that setup. Now there’s a journey which we can embark on where some of them can become great players, and they are in the making of great players. It's nice to be a part of the journey.

‘My coaching module will be the same’ Coaching module will be the same. I’m talking about the journey.. 1 year, two years, three years. Whatever is the one year, there are 17 Tests, in this whatever my experience, I’m honoured that I have an opportunity here. This is what I look at. I don’t think of what will happen after one year. When I was the captain too, I didn’t think about if I’ll be captain after one year. We’ll try to win all the series. There will be some hard moments and I’m sure we will come out of those. I can certainly vouch that whatever it takes to prepare the team, I will in my own way try and do that.

‘Bowlers should believe they are leaders’ I think when I was a player, I always felt that you are captain of your own bowling. That’s something which I would like to inculcate as well. Especially the bowling group, it is important that all of them believe that they are leaders, which they are. It is just that the mindset, and whatever needs to be done. And the experiences that I have had as a captain or as a player will certainly help in sharing those experiences. It is a different role and I certainly understand the role of a coach, the role of staying in the background and it is the captain who takes all the calls on the field. I will only assist him in giving him whatever necessary information that is in terms of strategy, be it preparation. So that’s all I can help with, and with all the experiences that I have had as a captain and as a player. Yes, captaincy came certainly pretty late in my career. I looked at that as a challenge, as a great honour. And I know the responsibility and the expectations. I have certainly understood the expectations that is on an Indian coach and I will try hard to live up to that.

‘Captain is in charge, I will give inputs’ It is the captain who is in charge. As a coach, all I do is organise preparations and give informed inputs to the captain and the players, and include all the players. It’s not about just the 11 who are to play. It’s not like I played in every team I was part of; I was dropped. I was not chosen for a tour. So I understand being the most important player to being dropped. I understand all of that. I understand that communication at that point is critical. As a coach I would like to pick the phone and say listen, you are still part of the team. That is what I will look to do.

‘Will try to bring in the killer instinct’ I will try to bring in the killer instinct will be my effort, to prepare as well as possible. Whatever problems and challenges there might be on the field, keep all that in mind and prepare is what I plan to do. Whatever is the support group, the coaching staff and the rest of the support, our belief is that our job is to work in the background. Those who will be in the forefront will be the players, the captain. I firmly believe that the player that I was and the coach that I am, I fully understand both the roles and the responsibilities. One thing I will definitely say is, win or lose, the fighting spirit will always be there.

‘Spoke to Dhoni at length’ Today was just a welcome meeting. Like I am talking to you all now, I spoke of how much of a privilege it is to be again part of the Indian team, that I can share my experiences with them. In the next five-six days, there will be a lot of interactions. The start was good and very welcoming. I also spoke to MS after he came back from Zimbabwe and although it was only on the phone, I have spoken at length to him, so really looking forward to working with both Dhoni and Virat.