Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts
 

Anil Kumble's acumen perfect foil for Virat Kohli's aggression: Harbhajan Singh

By PTI

New Delhi, June 24: Very few have the insight about Anil Kumble, the champion player, like his long time bowling partner Harbhajan Singh, who feels that Test captain Virat Kohli will find the most ideal "friend, philosopher and guide" as the duo aim to take Indian cricket to next level.

Full schedule of India's tour of West IndiesFull schedule of India's tour of West Indies

"With no disrespect to anyone, Anil Kumble will forever remain India's greatest ever match-winner in Test cricket. And he will bring that hunger to win in this team also. Virat will get to learn a lot from the man himself. Virat doesn't believe in draws and neither did Anil bhai. He will be Virat's ideal friend, philosopher and guide," Harbhajan told PTI during an interview.

Anil Kumble's acumen perfect foil for Virat Kohli's aggression: Harbhajan Singh


Having played alongside Kumble for a decade, Harbhajan straightway pointed out what Kumble would bring to the table.

"Unbelievable work ethic and discipline. And top it all, his ability to devise strategies against opposition batsmen. Let me tell you, under Anil bhai, boys will learn the art of winning Test matches on fourth and fifth day. He will change the misconception that Indian spinners need tailor-made wickets to win Tests at home," said India's third highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.

(Virat Kohli to Virender Sehwag congratulate 'Jumbo')(Virat Kohli to Virender Sehwag congratulate 'Jumbo')

Harbhajan feels that coaching degree at the international level is the least important thing.

"Tell me what's the role of a coach? At this level, his role is to help the captain in devising strategy. In Mumbai Indians, he would speak to me and Lasith Malinga -- as we were the leaders in bowling department. We would tell what we are planning and he would give us his feedback. And when you got that feedback, you knew that he had done his homework," said Harbhajan.

(BCCI's decisions for taking Indian cricket to next level)(BCCI's decisions for taking Indian cricket to next level)

Harbhajan gave the example of how they had sorted out Matthew Hayden during the 2004-05 home series against Australia and it was mainly because of Kumble's planning.

"During the 2001 series, Hayden got 549 runs. With his reach, he was even sweeping deliveries well outside the off-stump. During the 2004-05 series, even though we lost 1-2, we had sorted Hayden out as he got less than 250 runs (244 runs in 8 innings). It was Anil bhai, who made me aware about the areas to bowl to Hayden. I got him out thrice, Anil bhai and (Murali) Kartik got him once for not many," Harbhajan fondly recalled.

PTI

Story first published: Thursday, August 3, 2017, 7:33 [IST]
Other articles published on Aug 3, 2017