Indian spin
legend Anil Kumble believes the fact that he is the only Indian head coach in the
Indian Premier League (IPL) does not fully reflect the country’s coaching
resources.

Seven IPL
franchises have foreign head coaches, Ricky Ponting (Delhi Capitals), Brendon
McCullum (Kolkata Knight Riders), Stephen Fleming (Chennai Super Kings), Mahela
Jayawardene (Mumbai Indians), Trevor Bayliss (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Simon
Katich (Royal Challengers Bangalore) and Andrew McDonald (Rajasthan Royals).

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“I would
like to see more Indian coaches in the IPL. It is not a true reflection of the
Indian resources. I would want to see many Indians being part of the IPL as
head coaches,” Kumble, who is the head coach for the Kings XI Punjab, told a
select media interaction on Tuesday, PTI reported.

“It is a
bit of an irony, one Indian as head coach. I think at some point of time there
will be a lot more Indian coaches,” Kumble said.

He said
that the KXIP players have been keeping in good shape, both physically and
mentally in the IPL’s bio-secure bubble in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

KXIP have
never won the IPL and will be looking to break their duck with a strong,
balanced squad at their disposal this year. The range of players they have
to choose from, however, will complicate selection of Indian and overseas players.

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In reply to
questions pertaining to whether 40-year-old Chris Gayle will be selected for
the majority of the games, as has been the case in the past, Kumble said the
Jamaican will have a more pronounced role in leading the squad and his role as
a mentor will be as important as his big-hitting.

Other
overseas players include Glenn Maxwell, Chris Jordan, Jimmy Neesham, Nicholas
Pooran, Mujeeb Zardan, Hardus Viljoen and Sheldon Cottrell, who was bought for
a massive Rs 8.5 crore.

“We still
have to see the conditions at the main ground as we have been practising (at
ICC Academy). Chris has a major role even as player and even otherwise,” Kumble
said.

“His
leadership, his experience, the youngsters look up to him. It is not just Chris
the batsman we are looking at but Chris in a leadership role in terms of his
contribution to developing young players. I want him to be active on the
mentorship role.”

Kumble further
stated that a few practice matches will give him clarity on what combinations
he will pick for the tournament.

“Not just
foreign players picking Indian players will be a challenge. We have a few
practise games that will we will tell us (the best combination),” Kumble said.

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He said
that the franchise has managed to address issues from the previous season by
bringing in big-hitting all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and a specialist pacer in
Sheldon Cottrell.

“We have a
strong team. We needed an impact player in the middle and not just with batting
and fielding and Maxwell is also handy with the ball. And the fast bowler who
bowls at the death (Cottrell).”

Kumble also
said that the three-week training period in the UAE will allow the support
staff to better know the players, especially the younger ones.

“The reason
I have taken up (the role) is that we have great squad to go all the way. My
role is preparing the team to achieve success. I don’t want to go too far
ahead, one game at a time.”

“(After
arriving in Dubai), it was my first time meeting with the whole squad. Because
of the COVID situation (and bio-bubble), we are able spend more time with the
team than usual. That way we have been able to understand not just seniors but
even the younger lot.”

The third highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history further laid emphasis on the
importance of temperament.

“It is
about holding nerves. There will be moments, IPL it is not a smooth ride
always. We need to focus on what we can achieve, not worry about other teams.
We are confident we would be able to achieve that.”

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Kumble said
“it helps” that there are fellow Karnataka natives in the squad, like captain
KL Rahul and opener Mayank Aggarwal, although he also makes a conscious effort
to communicate with the other players in their language.

“I also try to put on a Punjabi accent with the Punjabi boys and keep them entertained with the little Punjabi I speak.”

Asked to
comment on whether recently-retired MS Dhoni will play with extra motivation,
Kumble said, “I don’t understand what extra motivation is. All of us are
motivated. Knowing MS, he will give his 100 percent. Even when I played the
IPL, the second season, I had retired from international cricket”.