R Ashwin praises new coach Anil Kumble's discipline, meticulousness

Basseterre (St. Kitts), July 14: India's offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin has heaped praise on new coach and former captain Anil Kumble, describing him as a disciplined man who has brought in a lot of energy into the team.

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The 45-year-old Kumble was appointed as India's chief coach on June 23. He took charge at the team's preparatory camp in Bengaluru last month. He and the Test players are currently in the Caribbean gearing up for the 4-match series against the West Indies. (Kumble introduces $50 fine)

India's number one spinner Ashwin was asked about Kumble and he spoke highly of the former legspinner.

"Generally there is a saying that whenever you get too close to celebrities you get disappointed. It is something that some people have told me. I also personally have got into it. But with respect to Anil bhai (Kumble) whatever I thought and I measured of him from a distance, has come true," Ashwin told the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) website on Wednesday (July 13).

"It is the same kind of discipline, intensity. It has been wonderful, fabulous (having him as coach). He has brought in a lot of energy. He has brought in a lot of meticulousness among the group. There is a lot of planning when he is around. There is very good discipline in the nets. The batsmen get out of the nets at the perfect time, for a start. That had not been (the same) for some time. These are the things I expected Anil bhai to bring in and that is exactly what he has done," he added.

The 29-year-old Tamil Nadu spinner said Kumble had given him lot of confidence and with it also the responsibility. (Kumble bowls at nets)

"So far he has provided me a lot of confidence and responsibility. It is more of giving the license for me to express myself which is something I really relish. We have had an open chat and he has already told me what he is going to look forward from me. And I have also told what I look forward to, from him, teaching me. He has already started bowling in the nets and I pick notes from it," Ashwin said.

When asked about how it feels to have a bowler as team's coach, he opined, "Understanding a bowler's psyche is a challenge. It is very difficult for a batter or someone else to understand the psyche. Definitely someone like him (Kumble) will understand the situation and he might give you the right impetus that you need."

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