Search for India’s head coach is over and, in all fairness, the best person has been chosen. Anil Kumble is the right choice. But then, we’ve also had this spat between Ravi Shastri and Sourav Ganguly making headlines. I don’t think this was necessary. If you look at it objectively, this could easily have been avoided, with a little bit of maturity from either side.
Ravi and Sourav are strong characters, who have spoken their mind and there is nothing wrong in that. But you have to be in control of your mental and physical faculties. Shastri had reason to feel upset with the way the interview was handled. This process should have been clearer. Both have captained India, one for a longer period, who also happens to be the president of a state unit. These things are least expected from people of their stature.
The BCCI too could have handled this better. Tell me, when have we seen maturity in their ways of handling things, especially when it comes to cricketers! Responsible persons or governing bodies don’t react to situations; they respond. This is something that the board has never realised. Once you go to the media to prove a point, you can’t stop them from going to the town with it. It’s on TV in a flash and all over newspapers almost everyday. That’s how matters blow out of proportion and the BCCI bosses have no clue how to control it.
Coming back to the man who has been given the reins, Kumble is a very grounded person. Highly intelligent, he has been an excellent student of the game since his playing days. I would like to see him restore the image of Test cricket. In the Indian context, that is what we need at this moment. Knowing him personally, I have reason to believe this will be his focus too.
Kumble has 17 Tests to do so and I wish he had a three-year contract. But something is better than nothing. This should be a good enough spell for him to prove his mettle in a new role. Coach at this level is a misnomer, because coaching is done at the grassroots. At the international level, you don’t really need one. Having worked with different coaches, Kumble might know this too. He can motivate the boys and push them to do certain things.
Being a humble guy is his biggest strength. He would want it to remain with him. There is no need to go overboard and shout from rooftop, “I have done this and that.” You are well expected to do so because that’s your job. That’s why you have been hired. Kumble isn’t the kind of a person who will do it. He will rather be content with the team winning and players taking the forefront. Good luck, Anil.
The author is a former India captain and coach. The spin great has also filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking implementation of the Lodha panel recommendations.