Kumble won’t curb Kohli’s natural aggression

AFP, BANGALORE: India's new coach Anil Kumble on Monday said he loved Virat Kohli's aggression, backing his captain to play his natural brand of cricket which has come in for criticism in the past.
Kumble was speaking ahead of India's four-Test tour of West Indies, his first assignment with the national team since his appointment last month.
“I love his aggression. I was no different. I was also aggressive (though) very different in terms of the way we probably come across on the field,” he said at a news conference in Bangalore on the eve of departure.
“I'd be the last person to curb someone's natural aggression. But of course we all know how important it is to be the ambassador of India and to be a part of the Indian cricket team," said the former spinner, who was India's most successful bowler in Test and ODI cricket.
Kohli, 27, who took over as Test captain from Mahendra Singh Dhoni against Australia last year, was at the forefront of on-field confrontations during that series, prompting tough scrutiny of his leadership style.
While some critics tagged him as firebrand and a spoilt brat, Kohli has been credited with instilling a more positive mindset among the team, currently ranked second behind Australia in the Test rankings.
Kumble however cautioned his players from crossing the “thin line” and reminded them of their status as role models to adoring fans back home.
“Of course we all know how important it is to the ambassadors of India and to be a part of the Indian cricket team,” he said.
“That everybody in the team understands and we will ensure that,” he said.
After their arrival in the Caribbean on Wednesday, India will play two warm-up matches and four Tests during their seven-week tour.
India will play four Tests in the Caribbean. The first Test starts in Antigua from July 21. The fourth and final Test will be played in Trinidad from August 18-22.
The Indian team underwent a six-day camp in Bangalore's National Cricket Academy. The sessions were divided between nets, skills training a team bonding activities.
“It was great to have Anil bhai with us. His experience counts a lot for us and the bowlers were feeling his presence very much,” Kohli said.
This will be Kumble's maiden international assignment and the former Test captain said India were expected to win the series.
“There may not many who have played in the West Indies before, but we have the experience,” Kumble said.
Kumble has chosen not to have a bowling coach with the squad and Kohli feels the former leg-spinner, India's highest wicket-taker, was good enough for the bowlers in the squad.
“The bowlers will have someone to fall back on,” said Kohli, who said it was imperative to back specialist players like wicket-keepers and openers on the tour.

Kumble wont curb Kohlis natural aggression

AFP, BANGALORE: Indias new coach Anil Kumble on Monday said he loved Virat Kohlis aggression, backing his captain to play his natural brand of cricket which has come in for criticism in the past. Kumble was speaking ahead of Indias four-Test tour of West Indies, his first assignment with the national team since his appointment last month. I love his aggression. I was no different. I was also aggressive (though) very different in terms of the way we probably come across on the field, he said at a news conference in Bangalore on the eve of departure. Id be the last person to curb someones natural aggression. But of course we all know how important it is to be the ambassador of India and to be a part of the Indian cricket team, said the former spinner, who was Indias most successful bowler in Test and ODI cricket. Kohli, 27, who took over as Test captain from Mahendra Singh Dhoni against Australia last year, was at the forefront of on-field confrontations during that series, prompting tough scrutiny of his leadership style. While some critics tagged him as firebrand and a spoilt brat, Kohli has been credited with instilling a more positive mindset among the team, currently ranked second behind Australia in the Test rankings. Kumble however cautioned his players from crossing the thin line and reminded them of their status as role models to adoring fans back home. Of course we all know how important it is to the ambassadors of India and to be a part of the Indian cricket team, he said. That everybody in the team understands and we will ensure that, he said. After their arrival in the Caribbean on Wednesday, India will play two warm-up matches and four Tests during their seven-week tour. India will play four Tests in the Caribbean. The first Test starts in Antigua from July 21. The fourth and final Test will be played in Trinidad from August 18-22. The Indian team underwent a six-day camp in Bangalores National Cricket Academy. The sessions were divided between nets, skills training a team bonding activities. It was great to have Anil bhai with us. His experience counts a lot for us and the bowlers were feeling his presence very much, Kohli said. This will be Kumbles maiden international assignment and the former Test captain said India were expected to win the series. There may not many who have played in the West Indies before, but we have the experience, Kumble said. Kumble has chosen not to have a bowling coach with the squad and Kohli feels the former leg-spinner, Indias highest wicket-taker, was good enough for the bowlers in the squad. The bowlers will have someone to fall back on, said Kohli, who said it was imperative to back specialist players like wicket-keepers and openers on the tour.