There is a lot to learn from a legend like Anilbhai’: Harbhajan

TIL Desk Sports/ They played 54 Tests together, bagging more than 500 wickets in tandem. Harbhajan Singh was delighted to know that his old teammate Anil Kumble was taking over as India’s cricket coach. One of India’s greatest match-winners, Kumble is also India’s highest-wicket taker in Tests, with 619 wickets in 132 matches. Those figures are the third best in terms of wickets in the history of Test cricket, only behind Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (708).

Harbhajan believes his role model’s appointment will take Indian cricket to greater heights. “I am obviously delighted with his appointment,” says Harbhajan. “He has been the biggest match-winner for India and a great mentor for many players, including me, who have played cricket with him and against him.” “There is a lot to learn from a legend like him,” ‘Bhajji’ adds. “It is a great step forward by the BCCI. I am really excited and hopeful that he will take Indian cricket to the next level.”

“It is a very good appointment for Indian cricket. The team needed someone like him to take them ahead. He is the best person and the right one to take charge,” Harbhajan told. In the last decade-and-a-half, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has preferred to appoint foreigners as coaches, starting with John Wright in 2000, followed by Greg Chappell in 2005, Gary Kirsten in 2007 and Duncan Fletcher in 2011.