India’s Test skipper Virat Kohli welcomed new head coach Anil Kumble into to the team on Thursday and said he was looking forward to working with the legendary leg-spinner.
“Heartiest welcome to @anilkumble1074 Sir. Look forward to your tenure with us. Great things in store for Indian Cricket with you ??” Kohli tweeted after Kumble was appointed as head coach for a one-year term.
Kumble’s appointment brought an end to the prolonged suspense over who will take over the rein of the side.
{{/usCountry}}Kumble’s appointment brought an end to the prolonged suspense over who will take over the rein of the side.
{{/usCountry}}The 45-year-old pipped former team director Ravi Shastri, Australians Tom Moody and Stuart Law and a host of others to clinch the high-profile position following an elaborate selection process headed by a three-member Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman.
Several other cricketers too congratulated Kumble on Twitter.
Retired swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag, who had been Kumble’s teammate for years said the ex-leggie who once bowled with a broken jaw in Antigua would be an inspiration for the players in the dressing room.
“Jumbo news 4Team India. Congrats @anilkumble1074. To have a coach who cud play wid broken jaw wud be an inspiration fr guys in dressing room,” Sehwag wrote.
Left-handed opener Shikhar Dhawan also greeted the 45-year-old, saying, “Congratulations sir @anilkumble1074 on becoming the coach of #TeamIndia! Looking forward to the long season ahead @BCCI.”
Even legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi expressed his happiness over the appointment.
“Kumble congrats Son!Well deserved honour!Am glad fr Indn Crkt-Gud job BCCI-wish Kumble was given 2/3 yrs ‘cos his precision demands that..,” he tweeted.
Out-of-favour English batsman Kevin Pietersen chimed in: “Anil Kumble the new Indian coach. Wonderful news for a great man! Best wishes, buddy!”