5 aspects of Indian cricket that Anil Kumble should look to address immediately
The Board of Control for Cricket in India today announced former India leg-spinner Anil Kumble as the new Head Coach of India. Kumble will hold the post for 1 year.
Anurag Thakur, the board president and Ajay Shirke, the board secretary made this announcement in a press conference. The Bangalorean was picked by the Cricket Advisory Committee which consisted Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid.
Kumble who is India's leading wicket-taker in Test matches was chosen over Ravi Shastri in what had become a two-horse race towards the end. He will join the Indian team as they leave for the West Indies. The cricket series will see India play four Tests in the seven-week long campaign.
However, there are a lot of challenges that face Kumble as he takes charge of the Indian team.
#1 Improving the overseas record in Test Matches
It has been learnt that Kumble impressed his erstwhile colleagues in the CAC with his vision for the Indian team going forward, especially overseas. This helped him jump way ahead of the existing competition.
Apart from 2-1 series win against Sri Lanka in the previous year, India have been appalling in all other away tours. The team lost to England and Australia, and then to New Zealand and South Africa. This prompted the resignation of MS Dhoni as the test skipper and Virat Kohli assumed charge.
As a veteran and as a part of a successful outfit under Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, Kumble chalked out his plans to improve this record, and hence the tour to West Indies becomes very crucial to his tenure.