When Anil Kumble was appointed as the Head Coach of the national team, there was genuine excitement as to what the new alliance entailed for Indian cricket. As the months progressed, it seemed more and more likely that India would scale new heights.
And why not? The team were exuberant whenever they stepped onto the field. Consequently, their game and the results, both were emphatic. It seemed like a match made in heaven – Virat Kohli, the captain, who hates losing more than he loves winning, and Kumble, the coach, who had shown pretty much the same passion as the incumbent captain.
The players flourished, and as would become a regularity, Kumble would often be found on the balcony, taking pictures of a victorious team. But all good things must come to an end and so did this one as Kumble resigned following weeks of speculation in the media about his future.
As Harsha Bhogle once said, “You judge coaches on whether players grew under them or not”. Anil Kumble certainly ticked this box.
Here are five players who blossomed under him.
#1 Cheteshwar Pujara
During his tenure, Kumble’s biggest achievement was, perhaps, the reinvention of Cheteshwar Pujara. The Saurashtra batsman was always consistent in Test cricket, his tenacity and composure were never in doubt. However, it was his low strike rate that was criticised by many.
Kumble, though, realised how big an asset Pujara could be for the team in the longer format of the game. He persisted with the 29-year-old at No. 3 and let him play his natural game and anchor the innings – a role not much different from Rahul Dravid’s from Kumble’s playing days.
While the rejuvenated Pujara did up his scoring rate by a considerable margin, his ability to absorb pressure at certain stages of the game was what stood out. Under Kumble, he amassed a total of 1378 runs at an average of 62.63 – a statistic that proves how much he thrived during this time.
#2 Umesh Yadav
Umesh Yadav’s easy action and the pace he generated with it impressed one and all when he first arrived in international cricket. However, despite everything he was a scattergun, liberally spraying the ball all across the pitch and giving away cheap runs.
Such was his inconsistency that even after bowling five terrific deliveries in an over, the sixth ball would invariably be short and wide or drift down the leg side or was overpitched. Over the last few months, though, Umesh has managed to get his act together.
It started a little before Kumble’s appointment, but it was during his tenure that Umesh really thrived. It is noticeable how his accuracy has improved and that too, without sacrificing the pace. Under Kumble, his doubts had vanished, he gained self-belief.
Umesh is a different bowler today, all thanks to the former coach.
#3 KL Rahul
KL Rahul might not have been as prolific as Pujara, but under Kumble, he progressed from being a good batsman to a world class one. In drastic contrast to his days in U-19 cricket, Rahul appeared to over-attack during the initial stages of his international career.
More often than not, he would get out trying to play an expansive shot. His dismissal in the Pune test (for which he received some flak) was yet another example of how he threw his wickets at crucial junctures.
That dismissal, however, changed something in him as he realised just how a match could turn dramatically once a set batsman got out. Needless to say, Kumble certainly had his hand in this change. That India have got an opener who is comfortable against pace and bounce and is consistent is a great bonus for when they play overseas.
#4 Kuldeep Yadav
If several reports are to be believed, then it was Kuldeep Yadav who was at the centre of the Kohli-Kumble spat. Apparently, Kumble was in favour of giving the talented youngster an opportunity in the third Test match against Australia in Ranchi, an idea that was shot down by Kohli.
Kohli, however, was ruled out of the fourth Test with an injury which prompted Kumble to push Kuldeep’s name into the playing XI. The left-arm chinaman bowler repaid the faith bestowed on him as he rattled through Australia’s top order on the first day and provided the base for India’s eventual victory.
It now seems like that on one side, when Kohli was busy playing Superman for India, on the other, Kumble was playing the role of Batman from behind the scenes. He pushed to give exciting youngsters a chance on the field. Kuldeep is one who can be a huge prospect for India in the near future.
#5 Jayant Yadav
Jayant Yadav had been in the A-team set up for quite some time where Rahul Dravid had identified him as one of the promising off-spinners to look out for. But it was not until Kumble’s appointment that the direct flow of players from the feeder teams to the national team.
It was during India A’s tour down under when Yadav had shown what he was capable of. And, in his short international career thus far, he has provided enough evidence that he is a man worth investing in. He has proved to be quite efficient with the ball, the bat and in the field.
Having debuted during the England series, the 27-year-old has featured in four Test matches in which he has picked up 11 wickets and has scored 228 runs. The stats are indeed impressive, to say the least. That Kumble made it easier for him by creating an atmosphere where he would feel comfortable certainly helped.
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