Anil Kumble: A year at helm with team India

Published : May 11, 2017 14:04 IST

Anil Kumble was named as the head coach of the Indian cricket team in June 2016.

He formed a successful pairing with Virat Kohli, as India won five back-to-back Test series, and won 12 of the 18 Tests it played, losing only once.

In ODIs too, he combined with Dhoni as India won two ODI series - against New Zealand and England.

The first challenge was the away series in West Indies, which India convincingly won 3-0.

Then, India started the home season in style, beating New Zealand 2-0 and also reaching the No.1 spot in Test rankings. It still maintains the No.1 spot.

Next up was England, a team that had previously registered a series win in India, but this time the host was well prepared and convincingly won 4-0.

Australia was the only team to defeat Kumble's India, registering a win in Pune, but the host showed great fight to win the series 2-1, and end the home season on a high.

Kumble gave chance to many players, who repaid his trust and performed to seal their spot in the Indian team. Hardik Pandya was one of the players who sealed his spot in the ODI team as a pace bowling all-rounder - something the team lacked over the past few years.

Kedar Jadhav was given an opportunity, which he took with both hands and sealed his spot in the one-day team at the expense of Suresh Raina.

Jayant Yadav too impressed after being given a spot in the Test team, he provided the perfect support to the Ashwin-Jadeja pairing, and also made contributions with the bat,

K.L Rahul flourished as an opener in the team, and took his game up a notch. He bought in consistency to his game, and provided India solid starts.

One of Kumble's telling contributions was converting Ravindra Jadeja into a match winner in Test cricket, Jadeja bowled with accuracy and supported Ravichandran Ashwin before going onto become the No.1 Test bowler.

Chinaman bowler Kudeep Yadav was used as a secret weapon by Kumble, and unleashed against Australia in the final Test at Dharamshala. Yadav managed to surprise everyone as he bamboozled the Aussies with his wrist-spin.

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Anil Kumble was named as the head coach of the Indian cricket team in June 2016.
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