"Saw An Ad": How Anil Kumble Applied For Team India Head Coach Role

Anil Kumble did not serve a long period as Team India head coach but it was a successful one. Under his mentoring, India reached the Champions Trophy final in 2017 and also rose up as a dominating side in Test cricket. India were unbeaten in 19 Test matches during his stint but despite all the achievement Kumble had to step down.

“When I returned, I saw an ad calling for the coach for the Indian team. I then sort of asked around the family, I asked my wife what she thought. She said ‘yeah, give it a go,’” Kumble told Pommie Mbangwa on Instagram Live.

“I said ‘see it means back to playing days, probably worse off because you tend to travel a lot more’. She said ‘it’s okay’. The kids are young, these 2 are young, the older one, probably, she is on her own. She said ‘it’s fine, you carry on. Apply, there is no harm in applying’. I got that job. It was because the sort of comfort I had with my family and kids; I took it up.”

India captain Virat Kohli was not happy with the way Kumble operated and that became the core reason behind his departure. On the hindsight, Kumble was happy to take up the role of Indian cricket team coach and had a fantastic time. He also said that it was a great feeling for him to be a part of the team with great performers.

Kumble has no regrets and was happy moving on.