Stylish Indian batsman Rohit Sharma welcomes the appointment of Anil Kumble as the new India head coach. Sharma is absolutely thrilled and eager to work under the coaching of the legendary leg-spinner and has said that the team would greatly benefit from the former leg spinner’s attacking instincts. The 29-year-old batsman also showered praise on Ravi Shastri, who was named first as the manager and then as the team director, by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), following Duncan Fletcher’s departure post-World Cup 2015.
“He (Ravi Shastri) took up the responsibility when we were in shambles,” Rohit said while interacting with the media on the sidelines of an event on Monday in Mumbai.
“Kumble’s thinking about the game is so different from the rest… It just amazes you… the kind of stuff he talks about and what he brings to the table is absolutely brilliant”, Sharma explained, when asked about Kumble’s appointment.
Rohit, who has worked under Kumble in the past for the IPL franchise Mumbai Indians, is confident that the champion leg-spinner will take the nation to new heights with his wisdom and inspiration. “I have two years of experience at Mumbai Indians and I know the kind of things we spoke about. I was the captain and he was the coach and mentor of the team. I got to learn a lot from him,” he said.
“I was fortunate enough to play with him during the last months before he retired. I remember in 2008, I was part of the Test squad to Sri Lanka and he (Kumble) was the captain. And he always had this attitude of never giving up, which as a young player is so inspiring. He is someone who is very inspiring with the way he’s played his cricket… he’s trying to inspire people to try and take up the challenge which is lying in front of you, and react to those challenges. He will always be there for you as a mentor and coach,” Rohit added.
Rohit is mighty impressed with the way Kumble has played all his Cricket throughout his career and also admire his never say die attitude. Rohit hoped that ‘Jumbo’ would bring the same attributes to the coaching table. “You have to keep fighting no matter what. If the game is slipping away from your hands, don’t give up till the last ball is bowled. That’s how he played his cricket. You will get the feeling that he was someone who wouldn’t let go too easily. That’s the kind of message that he wanted to send across. That’s the kind of message we also want as young players. He’s very inspiring,” Rohit said.