With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announcing former Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble as the new head coach of the men’s cricket team, Test skipper Virat Kohli was quick to convey his regards to the legendary spinner, welcoming the 45-year-old to his new role.
Reactions have been pouring in from various quarters since the decision was made by the BCCI on the recommendations of the Cricket Advisory Committee comprising of Indian legends Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman to pick Kumble over former Team India manager Ravi Shastri as the new Indian head coach but Kohli’s views are one which is of utmost significance.
Also read: Anil Kumble: Glad to be back in the dressing room again
Kohli knows Kumble quite well having been part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise in the IPL ever since its inception. Kumble, along with Dravid, were the two senior pros all the younger players, including Kohli, used to look up to and it was no surprise to see that Kohli addressed his former skipper as “Sir” in his welcome note to Kumble on microblogging site Twitter.
That Kohli will replace Dhoni as the Indian skipper in the shorter formats as well after taking over the mantle of the Test side from the wicketkeeper-batsman midway during India’s tour of Australia in 2014 in the near future is certain. But more importantly, Kumble’s first assignment in his new role will be the upcoming four-match Test series against West Indies and Kohli will be the one who will have a first-hand experience of what Jumbo has in store for the Men in Blue.
With India’s much-changed side winning both the ODI and T20I series against Zimbabwe, the focus now shifts to the tour of the Carribean which will also comprise of two practice matches in addition to the four Tests. The regulars will be making their return to the squad after enjoying a well-deserved rest following months of hectic T20 cricket and none will relate to it more than Kohli.
Kohli in exceptional form
The 27-year-old has been in scintillating form throughout the year with many cricket experts rating him as the best batsmen in the world while a few went as far as comparing him to the great Sachin Tendulkar. The voices have only grown stronger with every passing day that Kohli should be made Indian skipper across all three formats and India’s star batsman will be hopeful that he can do what it takes to impress Kumble as he sets out on his new role.
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