A world class bowler to a wise and successful coach, Anil Kumble’s cricket journey has come a long way. His word of wisdom is regarded highly among the cricketing inner circles. As he keeps an eye on his boys practising for hours in the nets for the upcoming Test series against Australia, he found time to give an interview to a leading daily. In the interview, he spoke highly about Virat Kohli—the current captain—and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the former captain.
Speaking about his successor, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, he said, “MS (Dhoni), coming from Ranchi, nobody expected that someone from Ranchi would be leading the country. And the way he has led (the team), 10 years as a captain, it’s extremely difficult. But to be Indian captain for 10 years is something unheard of and hats off to the way he conducted himself as a captain of the team. He was perfect ambassador for the sport.”
Kumble carried on explaining the feats of MSD and said, “And I don’t think anything ruffled him. You couldn’t really figure out what he was thinking even when one ball six runs to go or if the opposition needed two runs to win and you still have an over to go. You did not know what he was thinking, he would always go with his gut. It was amazing to win two World Cups, Champions Trophy and No. 1 in Test, you can’t ask for more.”
Talking about the current captain Virat Kohli, he said, “Virat Kohli, brilliance [sic]. I think one word is very difficult (to describe him). I have seen him develop from a 19-year-old, who walked into Royal Challengers (Bangalore) first time after he won the (U-19) World Cup as a captain, to the transformation that you see now, it’s been brilliant. To see someone that passionate, that kind of motivation and dedication he has.”
