Former team India skipper Anil Kumble candidly reflected on his career as the Head Coach of the Indian cricket team. Kumble stepped down from the position post the Champions Trophy tournament in 2017. A rift with the Team India skipper Virat Kohli was speculated to be the reason behind Kumble’s step-down.
Recalling the moment, the 49-year old said that the end of his tenure could have been better. In a virtual interaction with former Zimbabwe spinner, Pommie Mbangwa, Kumble said, “We did really well in that one year period. I was really happy that there were some contributions made and there are no regrets. I was happy moving on from there as well.”
He further added, “I know the end could have been better but then that’s fine. As a coach, you realise, when it’s time to move on, it’s the coach who needs to move on. I was really happy I played a significant role in that one year.”
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For the unversed, Anil Kumble had a successful one-year stint with team India, with the Men In Blue reaching the final of the Champions Trophy in 2017. Under his watchful eyes, team India also dominated the longer format of the game by losing only one out of 17 Test matches played during Kumble’s tenure.
Kumble concluded by saying that he is very happy that he took up the role of Head Coach at that time. He asserted that the one year he spent with team India was really fantastic.
Kumble mentioned that it was a great experience to be a part of the dressing room again and be involved with some of the great performers of the game.
Anil Kumble is currently the coach of IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab. In his cricketing career of almost 18 years, Kumble took 619 wickets in 132 Tests, and 337 wickets in 271 ODIs played for team India.
After Anil Kumble stepped down as the Head Coach, Ravi Shastri took over the responsibility.