'Jumbo' journey begins in Bengaluru: Anil Kumble takes charge as India head coach

Bengaluru, June 29: Cricketer. Mentor. Administrator. And now Team India's Head Coach. Former captain Anil Kumble today (June 29) began a new innings at his home ground - M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Ind-WI series schedule; Kumble praises Shastri

Last week, "Jumbo" Kumble was appointed as the head coach of the Indian team by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He pipped Ravi Shastri to the job.

The 45-year-old Kumble, one of the most respected men in the game, took charge as the coach at the preparatory camp for the team here at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), which is situated inside the Chinnaswamy Stadium. (No conflict of interest: Kumble)

It was an emotional return to the ground for Kumble, who started his cricketing journey more than 25 years ago here. (Kumble was not BCCI's first choice)

It was at this very ground that his ambitions as a cricketer began. He went on to become India's highest wicket-taker in both Tests (619) and One Day Internationals (337).

Chinnaswamy Stadium holds a special place in Kumble's life. Among his vast achievements, the leg-spinner claimed his 400th Test wicket on his home ground in October 2004.

After retiring from international cricket in 2008, Kumble returned to the venue as the president of Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) in 2010. He had friend and former team-mate Javagal Srinath as the secretary of KSCA.

Apart from administrator, Kumble was also the mentor of Indian Premier League (IPL) teams Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI).

1-year contract as coach

Having been successful as a cricketer and administrator, Kumble, on Wednesday (June 29), wore another hat, aiming to make the Indian team number one in all three formats - Tests, ODIs and T20Is.

With BCCI awarding only a 1-year contract, Kumble would have already planned his strategies with 17 Tests to be in charge.

The first assignment will be the tour to the Caribbean where India play 4 Tests. After that Kumble will have the cushion of home series of 13 Tests and limited overs matches.

In Bengaluru, at the camp, Kumble has teamed up with Test captain Virat Kohli. Later when the limited overs series starts at home against New Zealand in October, Kumble will work with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The 6-day preparatory camp could be the beginning of something special for Kumble and Team India. It was a wet start to his new innings with rain welcoming him and the players. In a year's time from today, we will know how Kumble has fared.

For now, it is the commencement of a "Jumbo" journey from home.

India's 17-member Test Squad for West Indies tour

Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha (wicketkeeper), R Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Stuart Binny.

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