New Delhi, November 8: Former India captain and coach Anil Kumble attributed his rigorous approach to a disciplined upbringing that eventually got him the unpopular tag of a "headmaster" later in his career.
Kumble, in a chat with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, talked about his childhood learnings that went a long way in him becoming a champion cricketer.
When Nadella asked Kumble about the values he inherited from his parents, Kumble said: "The self belief. It comes from the values that you inculcate, looking up to your parents and grandparents."
"My grandfather was a headmaster in school and I know that term (headmaster) kept coming back to me later in my career. Some of them here will understand (what I am talking about)," said Kumble.
Kumble, who earned the reputation of a hard taskmaster, quit as India coach in June under controversial circumstances, citing his untenable relationship with India captain Virat Kohli.
Had a great conversation with @satyanadella. A privilege & honour. @MicrosoftIndia #HitRefresh pic.twitter.com/BRgGiy29DW
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) November 7, 2017
Thanks very much, Anil. Always fun talking cricket and technology with you!
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) November 7, 2017
Catch @Satyanadella and @AnilKumble1074 sharing their #HitRefresh moments and more: https://t.co/SyYhw8CIU0
— Microsoft India (@MicrosoftIndia) November 7, 2017
The conversation between Kumble and Nadella revolved around Microsoft CEO's book titled 'Hit Refresh', released recently.
Kumble said the Australia tour in 2003-04, when India managed to draw the four-Test series, was the time he faced the challenge of reinventing himself.
"As a cricketer, you have to hit refresh literally at the end of the every series. Challenges from one series to another are different. But I would like to mention the Australia tour in 2003-04 when I was at the crossroads of my career.
"I was competing for a place in the eleven (with Harbhajan Singh). People had started talking about my retirement as I was in my 30s. I got an opportunity in the Adelaide Test which we famously won.
"I was expensive on day one but came back to take a five- wicket haul. I understood the need of doing something different. So I started bowling a different type of googly, something I had learnt during my tennis ball days. That is when I realised I can make subtle changes to improve my game."