'I have been a player and now I am the coach, so I understand both the roles well.'
'Hopefully, I will succeed in communicating with the players.'
After his first interaction with the players since taking over as chief coach, Anil Kumble reveals how he plans to go about his new role.
Presenting a fair idea of his leadership style in the role of India coach, Anil Kumble said he will try to inculcate self-belief in his bowlers as he wants them to develop as leaders.
An inspiring figure in his playing days, the former spin ace had his first interaction with the players on Wednesday since taking over as chief coach at the training camp for the West Indies tour, which began in Bengaluru.
"I will try and observe how the team is shaping up, and at this point in time I would like to look at the bowlers. That is something I am looking at... get closer to the bowlers and understand what their needs are and then probably looking at bringing in a fast bowling coach. That is a consideration I am thinking of. Bowling is one area where I can contribute," Kumble said, addressing a press conference.
"When I was a player I used to feel that you are the captain of your own bowling, which I would like to try and inculcate, especially in the bowling group. That is important. All of them must believe that they are leaders."
The former India captain, who ended his career as the third-highest wicket-taker in the world, said he understands the role of a mentor and insisted he would be quietly assisting the players by staying in the background.
"Looking at the challenges in the field, I will try to prepare the team. We, the support staff, would be working in the background. Players will be in the front. I have been a player and now I am the coach, so I understand both the roles well. It is a different role and I certainly understand the role.
"The role of staying in the background, and it is the captain who takes all the calls on the field. I can only assist him in giving him whatever necessary information in terms of strategy, be it preparation and whatever experience I have as a captain and player."
The 45-year-old coach said it is important to communicate with all the players, including the ones who would not make it to the playing eleven,
"It's the captain who is in-charge. As a coach I need to organise preparations for the team and give informed input to captain and the team to strategise better, inclusive of every player. It's not just 11 who are going to play but also six or seven who are not going to play.
"I was dropped and not chosen for a tour. I understand (what is) being the most important member of the team (and) to be dropped. I understand that communication during such times is critical for a coach to pick up the phone and say 'don't worry'. Hopefully, I will succeed in communicating with the players."
Asked to comment on how different it is to be a player and now coach, he replied: “There's not much to differentiate. There are boundaries as a coach but other than that there is no difference. These are exciting times (for Indian cricket) and you have to be a part of that journey. It was no different walking into the meeting room with the entire team. I had met a lot of them in various capacities."
Kumble also said he has a very clear idea about the demands of the modern game.
"Fortunate thing is I have been close to the game in various capacities. So I know what is the thinking for future, what youngsters are looking at. I have travelled with players in IPL, so I understand. I am close to the modern game. I am a parent of a teenager. I can blend my experiences putting across to the youngsters today. Communication is required and I can do that," said the bowling great.
He exuded confidence of getting good results during the West Indies tour, on which the team will play a four-Test series.
"Last time we went to West Indies, we had won the series 3-0, so we will take that confidence into the upcoming series. The Indian team has been doing well in Tests. We have a good chance of winning the series in the West Indies and we will go there to win.
"Last time when we won the series, Ishant (Sharma) was man of the series. Virat (Kohli), Murali Vijay and Amit Mishra also did well, so there is a bit of experience of those conditions. I have also been there before so I will also contribute.
"West Indies is always a tough team at home, although they are more formidable in the shorter format. However, conditions there is similar to India and the team is pretty geared up to live up to the challenge.
"I feel this team is very talented. One thing I will ensure is that whether we win or lose, the fighting spirit should always be there."
He said he is looking forward to working with both Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kohli.
"It was a good initial interaction with the players, very welcoming. I also had a talk with MS (Dhoni) after the Zimbabwe tour. Am looking forward to working with both MS and Virat."
Asked what has changed since he quit in 2008, Kumble said: "Fielding, of course! That probably stands out. Excellent to the see the agility and the fitness levels now.
"Also, now the average age is 25, 26, and they already have experience of playing at the highest level. Virat has played close to 40 Test matches and he is just 27; Ishant 60. So there is experience and youth. Nice to see that mix. Some of them are in the making of becoming great players."
Kumble said he will do everything to ensure that Test cricket survives.
"Whatever it takes to popularise Test cricket, I am for it. We will play 17 Test matches in the next 12 months. That shows how important Test cricket is. Talking to the players I realised how much importance they give to Test cricket."
