Finally Indian Team got a coach..."Anil Kumble"

So, finally, it is Anil Kumble who’d take over as India coach. I think amongst the contenders for this job he was the best choice. The hype around this selection process and the final announcement was understandable given that it is the appointment of the coach of the Indian cricket team, the most high-profile outfit. Besides, the panel that was selecting the coach comprised of glittering names like Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar. Therefore the media interest was understandable. But the point I am trying to make is remarkably different.

It is all very well to have the right guy as coach but what Indian cricket needs is a set of bowlers who can pick 20 wickets and batsmen beyond Virat Kohli to win a string of Test series abroad. It will be misleading and foolhardy to expect the new Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur or now Kumble with the Indian team to turn around the fortunes of these teams. To me the entire system from the top – the board, the selectors, the cricket committees, the coaches, the captains – make team a winner. An individual coach cannot make much of a difference. Coaches are there to organise practice, manage the minds and emotions of young players, plan strategies, present a sympathetic ear in troubled times and keep them grounded when they ride a success wave. I am sure Kumble with his strong personality and experience can do all of this but please don’t be in a rush to rubbish him if the team does not do well.

One year is too short a period to judge him. I don’t want to be too critical of this and would rather wish luck to Kohli-Kumble combo. After John Wright, Gary Kirsten and Duncan Fletcher we finally have a home coach for Indian team which is a good sign. Let us hope India rides well this “Jumbo” wave.