Anil Kumble’s new Team India contract to be discussed post ICC Champions Trophy

What’s the story?

Discussions on a fresh contract for India cricket team’s head coach Anil Kumble will be held after the team returns from the ICC Champions Trophy assignment in England next month.

A senior BCCI functionary was quoted by PTI saying, “Yes, Anil Kumble's contract as the chief coach will end with India's campaign in the Champions Trophy. Obviously, there is every possibility that it will be up for renewal but that will only be decided by the general body after the tournament gets over.”

In case you didn’t know…

Kumble, India’s most successful Test bowler, was appointed as the chief coach before the tour of West Indies last year, replacing former Team Director Ravi Shastri as the head of the team. He was given a one-year contract which is set to expire at the end of June, 2017.

After Kumble’s appointment, India went on to win five back-to-back Test series. Under him, the team has played in 17 Test matches during the 2016-17 season, winning 12 of them. They lost only one match during this time which came against Australia in the first Test of their last tour at Pune.

In the first series in West Indies, India won 2-0 and followed it up with a 3-0 whitewash of New Zealand at home. England were then humiliated by India as they won the five-match Test series 4-0. This was followed by a win in the solitary Test match against Bangladesh. Australia, who visited India for a four-match Test series had to relinquish the Border-Gavaskar trophy as well despite giving a good fight as India overturned a loss in the first Test to eventually win the series 2-1.

India played only two ODI series since Kumble’s appointment. They won both, defeating New Zealand and England, 3-2 and 2-1 respectively.

The heart of the matter

Kumble has enjoyed a successful stint in his role as the chief coach of India. However, it was further reported that any decision regarding Kumble’s contract renewal will have to be approved by the Committee of Administrators (COA).

Apart from being the chief coach, Kumble has also been entrusted to make a presentation to the COA on what kind of central retainer contracts the Indian team should get.

What’s next?

The Indian team visit England to take part in the ICC Champions Trophy. They are the defending champions and Kumble will hope that the team can retain the trophy.

Author’s take

One of the many reasons of Team India’s success in the last one year or so is Kumble’s dedicated work from behind the scenes. If someone deserves a new contract it is Kumble and if he is retained by the Board, he will surely look to take the team forward.