Kumble appointed as Indian cricket team's coach for a year

E-Paper | April 29, 2026

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed India's former Test captain Anil Kumble as head coach for a year.

The post was vacant since the ICC World T20 earlier this year after the former Indian team director and coach Ravi Shashtri's contract expired.

BCCI published an ad announcing the hunt for a new coach on June 1, the ad attracted 57 applications.

Shashtri was anticipated to win the race but the Cricket Advisory Committee — comprising of Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, and Sourav Ganguly — finalised the leg-spin maestro.

The appointment may come as a surprise to many as the leggie has no prior coaching experience besides a few stints as mentor in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

In his 18-year long career, Kumble bagged 619 Test wickets — the most by an Indian. His best bowling figures of 10 for 74 came against Pakistan at Delhi when he single-handedly dismissed the visitors in 1999.

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Khan

Jun 23, 2016 06:20pm

Congratulations to AK.... Would like to know why RS left the job??

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Rohit

Jun 23, 2016 06:26pm

A perfect choice for Indian team. He is role model for most of young cricketers in India. It will be exciting to see him in a new role. Best of LUCK to Jambo.

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Hussain Haqani,Gwader

Jun 23, 2016 06:34pm

We are not only satisfied but also proud of Anil Kumble to lead as coach of this great cricketing nation.

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سے Shaam (Hanafi)

Jun 23, 2016 06:38pm

Good choice and only one year term is even better. India stands at number two place in ICC cricket rankings for tests and T20 and is at the 4th place in one day. One year term should be sufficient to get India at the top position in all 3 formats. Go get them Jambo!

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sandeep

Jun 23, 2016 06:39pm

I think any top international team, having players who have gone through the rigor of domestic cricket doesn't require a head coach, simply because the players, by virtue of being selected to represent their country, have most things about their game in the right place. What sides need is a mentor, someone with the experience of playing at the highest level, to guide, motivate and instill discipline in players. I think anil kumble fits the "mentor" role perfectly, he's been a quality cricketer for India also a fierce competitor

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CALCUTTA MAN

Jun 23, 2016 06:45pm

@ Khan Don't see a conspiracy in Ravi Shastri's stepping down. His contract got over. In fact, he reapplied for the job, and his case application was considered along with that of Anil Kumble and other applicants. By the way, there were 57 applications. Incidentally, while Kumble made a power-point presentation (to his former colleagues), Ravi merely conveyed his case over Skype from Thailand, where he's holidaying.

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Jun 23, 2016 06:49pm

Very interesting choice, with India playing at home so much this year he can get India to number 1, but I doubt he will be able to change Indias performance abroad. He himself performed only abroad however he may be a better coach

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R.S. Menon.

Jun 23, 2016 06:54pm

Anil Kumble is not the right person. He does not command the respect Ravi Shastri or the foreign coaches had. R.S. Menon, Bangalore

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Rohit Singh

Jun 23, 2016 06:56pm

How can the trio of Sachin Ganguly and Laxman say no to Kumble pretty tough. He is a tough guy and has won more test matches than any other player.

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hitman

Jun 23, 2016 07:02pm

good pick , kumble to my mind will be the "mind" of the team . luck!!

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kumarlove

Jun 23, 2016 07:03pm

as always illogical and ridiculous..He has no valid qualification or experience required in the ad by BCCI... brainless thinking...

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Abc

Jun 23, 2016 07:07pm

Ganguly, Tendulkar and VVS Laxman in advisory committee. Dravid incharge of the young guns. Now Kumble head coach of national team. . Good going indian cricket Now waiting for Ganguly to become chief selector so that he can bring some young talent like he did with Yuvraj, sehwag, bhajji, zaheer in the Indian team.

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Asif Kashmiri

Jun 23, 2016 07:15pm

I think he is a good choice.

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Raj_

Jun 23, 2016 07:21pm

Despite having good financial backing, Indian board selected Indian coach. While Pakistan board selected foreign coach.

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Roy

Jun 23, 2016 07:25pm

A good choice. Hope he will find some classic traditional leg spinner in 1.2 billions people. I still miss his bowling and eagerly waiting for a world class leg spinner. Jumbo moment.

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Desi Dimag

Jun 23, 2016 07:26pm

Kumble been a great player and a great personality but he was not my choice for a coach though he could be a great administrator.We will see several spinners in the team now. I was expecting a fast bowling allrounder. Anyway congratulations to Kumble and the team India.

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ripan

Jun 23, 2016 07:28pm

Its a great choice. Ravi Shastri would have brought more politics into cricket.

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conspiracy_theory

Jun 23, 2016 07:30pm

Irrespective of what a coach does, the form of the team members during his tenure determines the results. The coach is given the credit or blame for the players' performances. If the role of a coach is to unite and motivate the players, it could be done better by a professional motivational speaker or a psychologist.

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Indian

Jun 23, 2016 07:31pm

There is no doubt about the quality or commitment of Anil Kumble but he doesn't have any coaching experience that is my only worry.

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Girish Chandwani

Jun 23, 2016 07:33pm

A perfect choice for Head Coach. Gutsy cricketer with good understanding of the game.

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CALCUTTA MAN

Jun 23, 2016 07:38pm

@ Khan Sorry, I forgot to mention in my earlier comment that Kumble's power-point presentation detailed his plans for the team till the 2019 World Cup. He's that clear in his mind (he has a degree in computer science, if I am not mistaken).

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PAATCHU

Jun 23, 2016 07:41pm

As great legend IMRAN KHAN pointed out, in CRiCKET, a Coach's job is irrelevant. Cricket is not like football where ALL strategies set by coach. Where as in CRiCKET each and EVERYTHING is determined by a CAPTAIN.

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Anis Muqtedar

Jun 23, 2016 08:26pm

@ Khan RS was the chairman.. There was no one in the Head Coach role. RS had also applied.

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Jai SriRam

Jun 23, 2016 08:27pm

@Raj_ You think Indian coaches are not good enough? And only foreign coaches can deliver results?

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Samrat

Jun 23, 2016 09:25pm

@ Khan he never left, his media commitments proved to be hindrance in his coaching stint.

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Mohit (US)

Jun 23, 2016 09:40pm

There could not have been a better choice.. he won the most number of tests for India than anyone else... i still remember him bowling with his jaws strapped in WI.. good luck Jumbo..

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anees

Jun 23, 2016 09:46pm

a very good choice , best of luck !! couldn't find a more honest legend then Kumble

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Jun 23, 2016 09:58pm

Might sound funny but for me, the coach selection committee isn't good enough. Sachin has always been a poor communicator and leader, Ganguly too rigid in his opinions and high browed, besides being from the elitist class. VVS is just a seat filler. No say among Sachin and Gangulyy Also, given Kumbles technical background and attention to detail, nobody stood a chance. Sachin and Gangulyy are too ill educated to even understand what he presented.

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Jun 23, 2016 10:00pm

Having said all that, Anil should have been chosen without any selection sham.

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suma

Jun 23, 2016 10:19pm

@CALCUTTA MAN If I am not mistaken all four Bangalorian...Kumble...Dravid, Shrinath and Prasad are electronics Engineer....

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ali

Jun 24, 2016 12:40am

interesting choice,,, lets see how it goes,,, its more for his repute than experience,,, a typical subcontinent beheaviour,,, wish him all the best from pakistan

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Comment

Jun 24, 2016 03:55am

Please act like John wright not kapil dev.

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kalhoro

Jun 24, 2016 05:08am

During his playing days he was considered as tough individual never give up and always given 100% for team.that is why committee decided in his favour.

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CALCUTTA MAN

Jun 24, 2016 08:59am

@suma Thank you for bringing me up to date...

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Mohan Kishore

Jun 24, 2016 12:03pm

@ Khan his term completed...

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سے Shaam (Hanafi)

Jun 24, 2016 02:02pm

Same man who set a world record of 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan at ferozsha kotla ground Delhi...

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Soumyajit

Jun 24, 2016 02:54pm

@suma I have worked in RV college from where he graduated. To the best of my knowledge, he is a mechanical guy. Thanks.

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