India’s newly appointed coach Anil Kumble has dismissed reports of conflict of interest between his new job and his involvement in a sports firm as well as heading the ICC Cricket committee.
The legendary leg-spinner, who was named for this high profile post last week, is reportedly involved with a company called Tenvic, which is in the business of sports and consulting.
The former Indian captain said all issues have been addressed before signing on the dotted line and he will also continue as Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee. “There is absolutely no conflict of interest. All things have been addressed,” Kumble said.
“There is the ICC Cricket Committee, for which I will not be able to dedicate as much time. However, I see no reason why I cannot continue as its chairman. There are other national coaches like Darren Lehmann on the committee. [Also part of it are] Andrew Strauss, who is England and Wales Cricket Board director, England Cricket, and Dravid, who is the India A coach,” he told ‘The Week’ in an interview.
He also made it clear that his application for the post of coach was sent before the deadline. “The application was sent well within the time limit. I am surprised at reports of me applying after the deadline surfaced.”
He admitted that he felt “a bit strange” while appearing for the interview before his former team-mates.
“I mean, we guys have held so many meetings in the past to discuss the game…. It was a pretty nervous idea, meeting them like this,” said the 45-year-old former leg-spinner who is India’s highest Test wicket taker.
Kumble said as coach his main aim would be to see Indian team excel in all the three formats and in all conditions.
“To be a consistent team. (We have to) look to win everywhere — on all surfaces, in all conditions — and not just at home,” he said. True to his nature, Kumble said he would try to take everybody on board while taking decisions.
“I alone will not decide and strive to achieve that; everybody involved must be on the same page, sit down and plan to achieve this goal. The coach’s role is to be in the background. It is always players first,” he said. “One needs to achieve a consensus. If the team doesn’t buy into the idea, I cannot force things. If the team does not own the idea, it can never feel comfortable implementing it.
“It is great that Sachin Tendulkar, V V S Laxman and Sourav Ganguly, who is also an administrator, are all in the CAC. There is Rahul Dravid, too, who is the India A and under 19 coach. We all are trying to contribute to the game in various ways. We will all have to sit down and do what is needed to take Indian cricket forward,” he added.