Sachin Tendulkar expecting big things for Indian cricket from big-game player Anil Kumble

After playing a prominent role ion the appointment of Anil Kumble as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar advised the current crop of Indian players to learn as much as possible from the legendary spinner. According to Tendulkar, India will benefit from the presence of a big-game player like Kumble as the coach and expects good results to follow for the Men in Blue.

"Anil is a fabulous player, a hard competitor who will not make any compromises on the field. He will be out there to win each and every moment. Anil has a lot to share… everything that he has learnt from this wonderful sport having played for almost 20 years," Tendulkar said on Tuesday. "There are always big, crunch moments in any match and how to approach those moments is important. We may plan a lot of things but eventually, execution matters.”

Tendulkar is hoping the players of present pick up exactly that patience and determination that Kumble displayed so wholeheartedly during his playing days., especially under not so favourable circumstances.

"In sport, over a period of time what you learn is not every day you are successful, sometimes you have to face failures,” Tendulkar said. "It is all about being a tough character and be able to stand back on your feet again and to compete the next day. Every day is a fresh day, a new beginning. That is something I feel Anil will teach them (players)."

"To the players, I would say go out and grasp as much information from him as possible and enjoy cricket above all. Let it be competitive, play it in the right spirit and enjoy the game," he added.

Tendulkar refuses to be drawn into Ganguly-Shastri spat

Refusing to comment on the ugly verbal spat between Sourav Ganguly and Ravi Shastri that followed Anil Kumble’s appointment as the new coach of the Indian team, Tendulkar instead thanked the popular cricket commentator and former cricketer for his role as Team India director of cricket, a role he performed well after taking on the job at a very difficult time.

Tendulkar also refused to point out the areas which might have cost Shastri, who had made no secret of his desire to continue his association with the Indian team, a role in favour of Kumble.

“Whatever we discussed in that meeting room stays confidential information," Tendulkar said emphatically. "Ravi’s contribution has been terrific and he’s done a fabulous job. He is someone that I have played cricket with and understood the way he approached cricket."