Late Starter Kumble Appointed Coach

India's greatest match-winner Anil Kumble was on Thursday appointed coach of the national team, thus adding one more feather to his already heavy cap.

Kumble, 45, was a late entrant in the race for the India coach's job, which attracted as many as 57 applications, including that of Ravi Shastri, the India Team Director whose term ended with the ICC World Twenty20 in April, and current chief national selector Sandeep Patil.

Kumble, who bagged 956 international wickets, reportedly hadn't even applied initially for the post as he didn't meet the criteria announced by the BCCI. But later, the BCCI announced that even those who didn't meet the criteria could apply, clearing the path for Kumble.

While making the announcement the BCCI said that Kumble's first assignment would be the upcoming away series in the West Indies, starting next month, when India will play four Test matches.

It is a strange coincidence that Kumble, whose has been linked to the BJP as a possible Lok Sabha candidate, has been appointed by the BCCI headed by Anurag Thakur, a BJP Lok Sabha member and head of its national youth.

Earlier, in April, the BCCI had appointed Rahul Johri, son of former Uttar Pradesh health minister in the BJP government then headed by Kalyan Singh, as its first CEO.

The BCCI, which has been controlled by the Congress for many years in its 87-year existence, is now firmly in control of the BJP.

Not only the likes of Thakur, Amit Shah, BJP party president and president of the Gujarat Cricket Association, BCCI vice-president (south zone) Ganga Raju, a BJP MP from Andhra Pradesh, and others in the organisation, but a few powerful Union Ministers are said to have a big say in the running of the world's wealthiest cricket body.

Before the 2009 general election, Kumble's name did the rounds as a possible BJP candidate from the Bangalore North and Bangalore Central constituencies. But apparently caste considerations prevailed and he wasn't given the ticket.

Later, the state BJP government appointed him vice-chairman of the state wildlife board that has the rank of a Minister of State.

In March 2010, Kumble had told Mid-Day: "I will come to active politics that is for sure, but let me play IPL for now."

Kumble, only the second bowler in Test history to take 10 wickets in an innings, played for IPL franchise Bangalore Royal Challengers and then mentored Mumbai Indians.

A former president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, Kumble is currently head of the ICC Cricket Committee. He will now have to resign from the post.

Kumbkle was picked as India coach on a recommendation by a Cricket Advisory Committee, headed by Sanjay Jagdale, and comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman.

"Given to his immense knowledge and experience, the BCCI is confident that Mr. Kumble will take Indian cricket forward and contribute to its growth and success (sic)," BCCI said in a release announcing the appointment. "The Board is confident that Mr. Kumble will meet the consistent high standards of professionalism set by the Indian team and fulfills the expectations of the followers of Indian cricket."

"As part of the process for selecting the head coach, the Board received 57 applications, which were evaluated by the Cricket Advisory Committee comprising Mr. Sachin Tendulkar, Mr. VVS Laxman and Mr. Sourav Ganguly with Mr. Sanjay Jagdale, the Chief Co-Coordinator. The Committee conducted interviews with select shortlisted applicants and submitted a report/recommendation to the Honorary Secretary Mr. Ajay Shirke,”" it said.

"The Board recognises the contribution of Team Director Ravi Shastri under whom India marched to the semi-finals in the ICC World Cup held in Australia and the ICC World T20 India 2016. With him as Team Director, India won the Test series in Sri Lanka after a gap of 22 years and also outplayed South Africa 3-0 in a four-Test home series before clinching the Asia Cup."

Kumble played 132 Tests and 271 One-day Internationals and went on to captain India.