West Indies vs India 2016: Anil Kumble's second honeymoon
Anil Kumble was appointed as the head coach of the Indian cricket team on the 23rd of June, 2016 and he’s just enjoyed his 50th day in charge. While a few fortunate people do get to enjoy their jobs and do what they actually dream about, Anil Kumble has taken it to the next level in his latest adventure.
The leg-spinner enjoyed a stellar 18 year international career that saw him travel around the world, take 10 wickets in one innings, break his jaw only to continue bowling and create records for his fast leg spinners on his way to becoming India’s most successful bowler ever. Now, he’s at the head of a talented bunch of youngsters who look set to dominate world cricket in the years to come.
His first assignment as head coach of the Indian cricket team was a tour of the West Indies. Once an all-conquering beast of a nation that produced players that invoked fear and admiration from opponents at the same time, the West Indies now represent a shadow of the side they once were. Their stadiums and stands proving to be nothing more than a glaring reminder of times gone by. India have been absolutely dominant so far, first, at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium and now, Sabina Park in Jamaica where the Indian seamers have enjoyed a good time bowling from the Courtney Walsh End and the Michael Holding End.
This indeed has proven to be a great start as coach for Anil Kumble, where he has landed himself on a bed of roses, a soft paradise, not a rocky road, but a gentle, happy time in the Caribbean. With 2 Tests and a couple of T20s in the US to follow, we unearth why this tour could be Anil Kumble’s honeymoon as Indian coach.
First stop: The Caribbean islands
There are 10 Test playing nations in the world currently - Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, Zimbabwe. Few in the cricket world would argue against the fact that the Caribbean islands presents the most alluring destination. If a painter was given a canvas to draw up a cricket stadium and fill it with characters of his imagination, the sight of any stadium in the Caribbean and its surroundings will fit the canvas to a tee. The beaches, sun, music, culture, food, fast bowling and aggressive batting serve up the perfect combination for a game of cricket and the Caribbean boasts of all of that in plenty.
Kumble travelled to Basseterre, the beautiful capital of St. Kitts for the tour games before moving onto Antigua, where the team enjoyed the hospitality of Sir Vivian Richards for the first Test. He is currently in Jamaica, the melting pot of Caribbean culture and should enjoy another win today unless the rain gods conspire against him. He further travels to St. Lucia and ends his travels at Port of Spain in Barbados. An itinerary worthy of a travel show on Nat Geo.
Extended holiday in the United States
The BCCI tweeted yesterday that the boys are not welcome back in the country just yet, they need to get another stamp in their passport by visiting the United States of America for two T20s against their current hosts, the West Indies. For coach Anil Kumble, it represents a great chance to make a mark in an unchartered territory as it will be the first time that India will be playing in the United States.
Further, MS Dhoni will be back among the ranks and Kumble would have had the opportunity to work both with the Test and limited-overs captains of the side. The matches are slated to take place in Lauderhill, Florida. Lauderhill is pretty close to Miami and it’s a great chance for Anil Kumble to take the boys on a night out should they continue to perform the way they are currently.
Perfect for photography
The sight of Anil Kumble with a camera is one that Indian fans have gotten used to over the years. The shutterbug is a big photography and wildlife enthusiast. Luckily, the Caribbean islands offer both in abundance and the coach can return with a reel full of happy memories. If you don’t believe me, this is the coach just showing off his photography skills:
Kumble had his camera out to take the picture-perfect moment when India had taken the last wicket in the first Test and Kohli was leading his chargers back to the dressing room.
Winning record
Anil Kumble is on the brink of something very historic. With no disrespect to the West Indies, he may start with tenure with a 4 - 0 whitewash of one of Test cricket’s heavyweights. That’s a record everyone would be envious about.
To make things better, to reward Kumble for his super start as coach, the BCCI have scheduled 13 Test matches consecutively at home. 13. If things continue to go the way they have been, he might hold one of the most envious records as coach ever.
Rub it in Shastri’s face
Anil Kumble and Ravi Shastri were the two widely-publicised applicants for the job before the Cricket Advisory Committee, also known as the ‘Good Friends of Anil Kumble Club’ comprising of Sachin, Ganguly and Laxman went with the leg spinner.
While Kumble has enjoyed the sun in the Caribbean working on his tan, Ravi Shastri has had to be content with the Mumbai rains, traffic, pollution and humidity.
All jokes apart, one must take their hats off to Anil Kumble who has been designated with the monumental task of being at the helm of one of the most talented bunch of cricketers ever, with the backing of the world’s richest sporting body.