Kumble named India’s coach, beats Shastri, Moody to the job

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced in a media briefing that Kumble would take over before the West Indies series. Kumble was the last entrant into the contenders’ list for the Indian coaching job when the Board invited applications. He would be incharge of the team for a period of one year. 

Terming Kumble as a great cricketer and a match winner BCCI President Anurag Thakur said: “It is not about an Indian or a foreign coach, it is about best coach for India.”

Kumble was vying with the likes of Ravi Shastri, Praveen Amre, Lalchand Rajput, Tom Moody and Stuart Law. After each of them made their presentations and showcased their blueprint for the future, it was a direct battle between Kumble and Shastri. 

The Cricket Advisory Committee consisted of former captains Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman. The panel reportedly asked the contestants why they should be entrusted with the team and how they will you help the team win abroad. 

According to reports, the mathematician in Kumble was at his best explaining in a methodical way how he viewed the challenge. He would know because it was during his period that India started winning Tests and big events abroad. Kumble is all but home. And, of course, Kumble had played alongside Ganguly, Tendulkar and Laxman. 

Those who know Kumble also vouch that he is exceptionally good in preparing presentations. His was the longest presentation as well. He had given different blueprints for different formats. Kumble has mentored for Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. He was also the chairman of ICC’s Cricket Committee and BCCI’s Technical Committee. 

In contrast, Shastri made his presentation via video conference from Thailand. He pushed his case on the back of his two-year stint with the Indian team. Shastri’s Test teams performed well, not exceptionally well, but the ODI and T20 teams were not up to the mark. There were reports that captain Virat Kohli backed Shastri. Lalchand Rajput, coach of the World T20 winning Indian team, is likely to take up coach’s job with Afghanistan while Praveen Amre, batting consultant with Delhi Daredevils, is likely to get the same job with the national team.