Indian cricket team chief coach Anil Kumble on Thursday dismissed allegations of ball tampering levelled against Test captain Virat Kohli by a British publication.

British tabloid Daily Mail had produced inconclusive evidence on Tuesday to show that Kohli used to shine the ball with the residue of a sweet in his mouth during the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam.

Referring to television footage of the incident, the newspaper had claimed that Kohli put his hands deep in his mouth, and then shined one side of the ball during the second Test which was played from November 9 to 13.

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But the doubts raised by the English media seemed to backfire as Kohli’s actions were not cited by the umpire or the match referee after the match.

“First of all, I don’t want to react to any reports in the media. As far as I am concerned, the umpires or the match referee never ever came to us talking about it.

“It is certainly something we will not like to give much wind about. As far as I am concerned, there is nothing to worry about. People can allege, they can write what they want in the media. As far I am concerned, there is nothing that our players are a part of,” Kumble told reporters

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Kumble also defended South Africa’s stand-in skipper Faf du Plessis who was fined his entire match fee for allegedly tampering with the ball during the recent Test against Australia in Hobart.

“Even for Faf du Plessis, South Africa have played exceptional cricket to beat Australia 2-0 (in the series) and to be told that there has been ball tampering is very silly. It is like making a mountain out of a molehill,” the former leg-spinner asserted.

Kumble also praised the Indian bowlers for their performance during the ongoing Test series against England.

England had dominated the drawn first Test in Rajkot before India won the second contest in Visakhapatnam to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

“Very impressed. Like I said in the first press conference at the start of the series that the bowlers have been brilliant. It was not easy because they have bowled about close to 240 overs in Rajkot and then within three days they bowled almost 200 overs in the last Test match,” Kumble said.

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“So never easy when have to go in there back to back. Although we have five bowlers, still the effort and the way they responded and went about being very relentless in their pursuit to go out there and win was very evident and I am really pleased with the way we were able to win the Test match in Vizag,” he added.

The former India captain heaped praise on rookie off-spinner Jayant Yadav for his performance in his debut Test in Visakhapatnam.

Yadav bagged three wickets during England’s second innings at Visakhapatnam for a match haul of four wickets.

He was also useful with the bat, posting vital contributions lower down the order.

“(I am) very impressed. In the interactions that I have had, he comes across as a very balanced person. Probably he had a dream debut. He contributed with the bat, he contributed with the ball and had a brilliant fielding effort in the first innings.

“So overall you can’t ask for more. The team goes on to win as well, so there is nothing more you can ask for. But as a youngster, coming into this team he showed a lot of character and maturity,” Kumble said.

“Although he was playing his first match, he showed a lot of maturity in the way he batted with the lower order and even in the second innings batting with (Mohammed) Shami and getting those 30-40 runs. The way he bowled was very impressive.

“It really augurs well for Indian cricket that someone who has just come into the team has really showed that kind of an approach,” he added.

With the third Test due to start here on Saturday, Kumble asserted that the Indians are not too worried about the pitch at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium.

“It (the pitch) has certainly gone a lot slower to what probably it used to be in the 90s. I am not someone who will give too much importance to the conditions. We need to play good cricket,” he insisted.

“I certainly believe that we played really good cricket both in Rajkot and Vizag. That’s why we are 1-0 ahead in the series. We will have to do that again. No matter what the conditions are,” Kumble added.

“The pitch has certainly gone a bit slower and is not the way it was in the early 90s.”

IANS

Moments after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes will be demonitised after midnight on Tuesday, social media went into a tizzy with trolls and a flood of questions thronging the platforms.

#Rs 500 and 1,000 to #BlackMoney started trending heavily with former India opener Virender Sehwag topping the reaction list with his tongue-in-cheek post.

“In America they will count Votes. In India count Notes. Tonight just notice d houses that dont have lights off, Note Counting On.#BlackMoney,” the Delhi dasher tweeted.

Ace actor Amitabh Bachchan used the new colour of the new-look Rs 2,000 to promote his highly successful release Pink.

“T 2435 – the new 2000 rs note is PINK in colour … the PINK effect ..!!,” Bachchan tweeted.

Spin legend and India coach Anil Kumble supported the intiative.

“Massive googly bowled by our Hon. PM @narendramodi today. Well done Sir! Proud of you!!,” Kumble posted on the eve of India’s first Test against England in Rajkot.

IANS

International Cricket Council (ICC) general manager Geoff Allardice on Thursday said India’s head coach Anil Kumble played an important role in convincing a reluctant Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to adopt the Decision Review System (DRS) on a trial basis in the upcoming home Test series against England.

India will be using DRS in the upcoming five-Test series, and then ICC will hold a meeting in early February to prepare a roadmap for the use of the technology further.

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“The fact that he was subsequently appointed as Indian coach; he obviously has that background going into his coaching position. He’s been very instrumental in the process that we’ve taken with the assessment of technology and the approval process and new technologies and things like that; he’s taken a methodical approach,” Allardice said during a telephonic conference ahead of the India-England Test series.

“He has been very supportive of the project. He was also in the ICC Cricket Committee meeting in May last year when the results when the majority of the tests were presented.”

“He was aware of the cricket committee’s position, which was that they wanted a more consistent use of technology across international matches.”

“I know he’s been part of the ICC Cricket Committee for I think for four years now, and one of the things that he was keen to do when he came on as Chairman was to make sure that the technologies that were used as part of DRS were assessed independently, and he’s driven a lot of that project, and it’s taken awhile to get to the stage where we’ve got results of testing, etc,” he added.

In the England series, the ICC will also make sure to make the use of DRS, as a permanent fixture for the BCCI.

“From the time we were advised by the BCCI that they would be using it in the England series, I think our focus has been on the delivery of DRS in that series and making sure we get the umpire appointments, to have an independent TV umpire, and making sure all the support staff and the equipment that goes with the DRS gets to those matches,” Allardice said.

“I think over the course of the next month or two, when we get a chance to talk to them, we’ll work out the steps beyond the England tour.”

“But in terms of assessing the performance of DRS, we’ll obviously provide any information or any views of ours on the performance of DRS during that series. I think it’s probably one the BCCI would be in a better position to answer as to what would shape their position for the future use of DRS technology,” he added.

IANS

Hardik Pandya picking up the man of the match award in his One-Day International (ODI) debut during the first match against New Zealand, India coach Anil Kumble is confident that the all-rounder will bring in much needed balance to the team.

Pandya returned figures of 3/31 in the first match of the five-ODI series in Dharamsala last Sunday as India restricted New Zealand to a total of 190 runs.

Kumble asserted that such an encouraging performance on his ODI debut will give Pandya the confidence to perform well in the second match of the series as well.

“He is someone who obviously gives us the right balance because he can bowl. He can not only bowl, he bowls at a pretty decent pace as well. It was nice that he really bowled well in the first game with the new ball. That was something that Dhoni wants him to try and it was heartening that he got the man of the match in his first game.

“So it was something that I am sure will give him a lot of confidence. All-rounders who can run in and bowl quick and bat are certainly an asset. He is someone who will be closely monitored and we will see how he progresses. He certainly has the potential. He has shown his potential in the limited opportunities that he has got,” Kumble told reporters here on Wednesday.

“As someone who has just started his international career we do not want to put pressure on him by giving him specific plans as to what is expected of him. He is someone who likes the freedom. That is what we have given to someone like Hardik.

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“We tell him to bowl freely and not worry about getting hit. We don’t tell him to bowl in one particular spot. Even with his batting, he has the freedom to go and bat freely whatever be the match situation,” the India coach added.

Kumble, who refused to divulge the Indian playing XI, said the Ferozeshah Kotla ground here will be suitable for batting.

“It should be a good surface for one-day cricket. It should be a good surface for batting. As far as (team) combination goes, we still have time. We will let you know tomorrow,” he said.

Kumble is also pleased with opener Ajinkya Rahane’s form and asserted that the Maharashtra right-hander will continue to open the innings in the near future.

“At the moment Rahane certainly fits in at the top of the order. That is something we will persist with. It does give us an option once Shikhar (Dhawan) and K.L. Rahul are fit,” Kumble said.

“We have a lot of time before the next ODI series against England. In this ODI series, Rahane will open the batting. Looking at the Champions Trophy we will then decide who is our opening combination.”

The former leg-spinner also said that although flexibility in the batting remains a target in limited-overs cricket, Manish Pandey is being looked upon as a potential fixture at the number four slot.

“We have a couple of options at that spot. Manish (Pandey) is someone who has done really well in the recent past. He started off well even in Dharamsala. Manish is someone who has shown promise and the performances to back it as well,” Kumble remarked.

“He comes into the Indian team with a lot of experience in domestic cricket. Its not like he is someone like Hardik Pandya who is new at this level. He is certainly the number four we are looking into,” he added.

“But in ODI’s I don’t think is is necessary that you should have some positions fixed. It all depends on the situation. You could see someone else walking in as well.”

The 46-year-old also asserted that India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will continue to bat in his present position as he has the required experience to finish off a chase.

“It all depends on match situations. While chasing you need more experience. As far as MS is concerned, he has enough experience. He has shown over the years that he has enough capabilities as a batsman,” Kumble insisted.

“We don’t need to really look close at giving him time to settle in. You will probably see a different batting order depending on different situations.”

IANS

Team India coach Anil Kumble is pleased with opener Ajinkya Rahane’s form and asserted that the Maharashtra right-hander will continue to open the innings in the near future.

“At the moment Rahane certainly fits in at the top of the order. That is something we will persist with. It does give us an option once Shikhar (Dhawan) and K.L. Rahul are fit,” Kumble said. “We have a lot of time before the next ODI series against England. In this ODI series, Rahane will open the batting. Looking at the Champions Trophy we will then decide who is our opening combination.”

The former leg-spinner also said that although flexibility in the batting remains a target in limited-overs cricket, Manish Pandey is being looked upon as a potential fixture at the number four slot.

“We have a couple of options at that spot. Manish (Pandey) is someone who has done really well in the recent past. He started off well even in Dharamsala. Manish is someone who has shown promise and the performances to back it as well,” Kumble remarked.

“As someone who has just started his international career we do not want to put pressure on him by giving him specific plans as to what is expected of him. He is someone who likes the freedom. That is what we have given to someone like Hardik.

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Kumble backs Pandya to continue good form

With Hardik Pandya picking up the man of the match award in his One-Day International (ODI) debut during the first match against New Zealand, India coach Anil Kumble is confident that the all-rounder will bring in much needed balance to the team.

Pandya returned figures of 3/31 in the first match of the five-ODI series in Dharamsala last Sunday as India restricted New Zealand to a total of 190 runs.

Kumble asserted that such an encouraging performance on his ODI debut will give Pandya the confidence to perform well in the second match of the series as well. “He is someone who obviously gives us the right balance because he can bowl. He can not only bowl, he bowls at a pretty decent pace as well. It was nice that he really bowled well in the first game with the new ball. That was something that Dhoni wants him to try and it was heartening that he got the man of the match in his first game. 

“So it was something that I am sure will give him a lot of confidence. All-rounders who can run in and bowl quick and bat are certainly an asset. He is someone who will be closely monitored and we will see how he progresses. He certainly has the potential. He has shown his potential in the limited opportunities that he has got,” Kumble told reporters. 

Kumble, who refused to divulge the Indian playing XI, said the Ferozeshah Kotla ground here will be suitable for batting. “It should be a good surface for one-day cricket. It should be a good surface for batting. As far as (team) combination goes, we still have time. We will let you know tomorrow,” he said.

MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli

Kumble on Dhoni

The 46-year-old also asserted that India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will continue to bat in his present position as he has the required experience to finish off a chase.

“It all depends on match situations. While chasing you need more experience. As far as MS is concerned, he has enough experience. He has shown over the years that he has enough capabilities as a batsman,” Kumble insisted.

“We don’t need to really look close at giving him time to settle in. You will probably see a different batting order depending on different situations.”

Team India is starting its West Indies tour with a two-day practice match in St. Kitts. Result wise, the game is less significant, but it will surely give the newly-appointed coach Anil Kumble a good look at his squad. Kumble would be hoping to use this series to lay a solid foundation for tougher series coming ahead, and inject his philosophy into the team.

The team management will be keeping a close eye on players like Mohammad Shami, Shikhar Dhawan, and KL Rahul. Shami is coming back from an injury, while Dhawan and Thakur will be aiming to gain confidence of the management. Dhawan, in particular, has plenty at stake, seeing his dismal form, as Rahul is knocking on the door for a regular spot in the playing XI.

More or less, India’s playing XI for the series opener in Antigua is final, but the management will get a chance of testing reserve players in practice matches. Shardul Thakur, Stuart Binny, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rohit Sharma will be looking forward to cash in the opportunities.

Batting, again, India’s strong point

The Indian team has the likes of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan in the batting line-up, and players like KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma waiting for their turn. India’s batting lineup currently looks solid, if not more. The sub-continent-like conditions of the Caribbean are for them to exploit. It won’t be a surprise if they end by pilling huge runs in the series.

Indian team is unlikely to make any change in the batting-order, Murali Vijay, Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara and Kohli, followed by Rahane. Rahul, who is in sublime touch at the moment, and Rohit Sharma will be fighting for a place if the Indian captain decided to field six specialist batsmen, which is very unlikely of him. It will put pressure on Dhawan to perform, and if he does, Pujara’s performance will be under scrutiny.

Finding the right bowling combination

This is the most challenging job both Kumble and Kohli have in their hands. Kohli’s style of play is fielding five regular bowlers, but when Kumble used to play he was a part of a four-bowler attack. It will be interesting to see the bowling combination India will be heading against the Windies. Going by Kohli’s style of play, India will be playing with Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami.

Shami’s fitness will be under scrutiny, while Ishant will be a little rusty, after spending some time away from the field. Amit Mishra, Bhuvneshwar, Thakur and Binny will be aiming to use the practice matches to stamp themselves as able replacements. Kohli is likely to field two spinners – Jadeja and Ashwin – seeing lately the conditions have favored spinners in the Caribbean Islands.

For players, the practice matches will be vital to know the conditions and get used to the playing surfaces of the Caribbean. But for Kohli and Kumble, it will be important to know his players, and get the combination right, from the first match itself. They both know that there is plenty at stake, including the Test rankings, in this series, and they will be targeting nothing less than a series win.

Anil Kumble has been a fighter and a winner throughout his career. His spell with a broken jaw against West Indies is a prime example of sheer determination and courage. His disciplined approach to this bowling saw Kumble emerge as India’s biggest match winner. Whatever responsibilities he was given, right from leading the bowling pack to  captaining Team India, he took them on and applied the same meticulous method to excel.  

This time, though, he is in an unfamiliar territory. He is a fighter, a leader, an inspirational figure, but coaching is not something one associates with Anil Kumble. And that too the head coach of the Indian team; one of the most high-pressured jobs in the world.

It is the same job which saw the likes of Kapil Dev, Greg Chappell and some big names of the game succumb to. Managing a team of superstars, match-winners is not a walk in the park, and it is going to be no different for Kumble, who has little or no coaching experience.

Kumble has a number of challenges ahead of him, especially in the coming month or so as he will be trying to put in place a system, making personal bonds plus planning for the West Indies tour, all at the same time.

Different formats, different captains

This is the most obvious challenge Kumble will be facing. MS Dhoni is India’s captain in limited-overs format, while Virat Kohli is the leader in the longer version of the game. They both have contrasting styles on the cricket field. While Dhoni is a calm in his approach, Kohli is someone more expressive.

Kumble shares a good rapport with Dhoni as he had mentored Dhoni while captaining the Indian team. So, working with him is not going to be much of a hassle. But the same cannot be said about Kohli. The Indian Test captain is a complete opposite to Dhoni. He likes to remain aggressive and never shies away from taking on the opposition. The same streak could be seen in many other young  teammates, who are ready to indulge in a verbal spat.

“I love his aggression. I was no different.” This is a statement coming right out of Kumble only means he’s leaning the art of diplomacy. How often we saw Kumble having a go at the opponent? Rarely or never. He was aggressive with his bowling not with his words. 

Less time, too much to prove

The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) has played it safe. They have offered just a one year’s contract to Kumble, giving the excuse of his lack of coaching experience. But how leaving a sword hanging can only add more pressure on the high profile job. 

Man management skills

The coming season is crucial for the Indian team. They are playing as many as 13 Tests at home. It is going to be a gruelling season. Kumble needs to manage his resources well. He has a very talented squad at his disposal, but they have to perform as a unit and win matches. Kumble’s new endeavour will test how good he is in managing the superstars, and take the team forward.

The new Indian coach has started off pretty well to say the least. He has spoken extensively to Dhoni, Kohli and other stakeholders in Bangalore, organised musical bonding sessions but the real action will start from July 21 in the West Indies. No matter how many meeting you do, ultimately the on field performance is what count. Kumble will be hoping to start his coaching career on a winning note to ease some pressure off. Meanwhile, it is going to be a fascinating journey for him, this time not in the sun, but in the shadow.

He is hailed as India’s greatest ever match winner. Now the legendary leg spinner Anil Kumble is going to seen in a new avatar – as the coach of the Indian cricket team. The BCCI has appointed Kumble for the top post for only a year though as he is still making a transition from a player to a coach. Kumble has said that he’s honoured to be appointed the coach and for him it’s always player first and the coach comes later. He also emphasised that his strategy is to win.