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Anil Kumble Appointed As Indian Cricket Team's Head Coach

Anil Kumble Appointed As Indian Cricket Team's Head Coach
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - APRIL 22: DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Anil Kumble, ICC Cricket Committee Chairman attends the ICC board meeting at the ICC headquarters on April 22, 2016 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Francois Nel via Getty Images
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - APRIL 22: DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Anil Kumble, ICC Cricket Committee Chairman attends the ICC board meeting at the ICC headquarters on April 22, 2016 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Former Indian leg spinner Anil Kumble was on Thursday appointed as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) authorities said in a press conference that Kumble’s appointment is for a period of one year.

Kumble, who is fondly called Jumbo by his teammates and fans for his ability to bounce the ball, has been the highest wicket taker for India till date.

“We had fixed the criteria, many people applied and the advisory panel has gone through the process, interviewed a few and recommended some names to the BCCI. After due discussions with various stakeholders, we have taken the final call that for the next one year, Anil Kumble will be the head coach. As far as the other coaches for bowling and fielding are concerned, the announcement will be made soon,” BCCI president Anurag Thakur said in the conference.

The BCCI announces the appointment of Mr. Anil Kumble as Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team for one year. pic.twitter.com/yZNohzFfwc

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 23, 2016

A panel comprising of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman and coordinator Sanjay Jagdale selected Kumble, who pipped Ravi Shastri to become the coach.

“Indian cricket deserves the best, now it has the best,” Thakur said, justifying the Board's choice, adding that Kumble is a great cricketer and has been a match winner for India.

“Kumble’s record speaks for itself,” he said.

Kumble has in his illustrious career spanning almost two decades bagged 619 wickets in test matches and 337 in one day internationals. Some of his best performances include 6/12 against West Indies in Kolkata (1992-93), 4/69 and 7/59 against Sri Lanka in Lucknow (1993-94) and 5/33 against New Zealand in Wellington (1993-94)

"It’s a great honour to be back in the Indian dressing room. I thank the BCCI and the cricket advisory committee for showing faith in me. It’s a huge responsibility and I have always put my hands up for challenges. The coach’s role is always in the background and it is the players who come first always,” Anil Kumble told Times Now.

It's a great honour to be back in Indian dressing room in a different role: Anil Kumble, India coach pic.twitter.com/69796Fg9zg

— ANI (@ANI_news) June 23, 2016

Responding to Kumble’s selection, former cricketer Mohindar Amarnath told Times Now that the right person has got the right job.

“He has represented India for a long term. Probably Anil Kumble as a coach should do wonders for Indian cricket,” he told the news channel.

Cricket experts took to Twitter to comment on the appointment of the legendary leg spinner as Indian team's head coach.

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 (@bhogleharsha) June 23, 2016

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 (@bhogleharsha) June 23, 2016

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