Bengaluru, Jul 4 (PTI): He will be the “last person to curb” skipper Virat Kohli’s on-field aggression but newly appointed chief coach Anil Kumble made it clear that as “ambassadors of India” the players should also be aware that there exists a “thin line” which needs to be respected. “I love his aggression. I was also no different as I was very aggressive. But we were probably very different in terms of how we came across in the field. But you don’t want to curb aggression. I will be the last person to curb someone’s natural instincts,” Kumble said at the pre-departure press conference ahead of India’s tour of West Indies.
However, he also had a note of caution for all the aggressive players, including Kohli. “But we all know how important it is to be ambassadors of India and part of the Indian cricket team. That everybody understands. We will ensure there is a thin line and I hope everybody knows that. I won’t certainly curb anyone’s natural instincts,” Kumble said with Kohli by his side.
Asked about the expectations from the upcoming four-Test series in the Caribbean, India’s highest ever wicket-taker said that the idea would always be to try for a victory as no team thinks in any other fashion.
“As a coach, you want the team to win and prepare them to the best of their ability. To ensure that all areas are covered. Skill-wise as well as strategy wise so that they are able to assess any situation and find a solution on their own. Good part is that we are playing a lot of Test cricket and we will be able to assess the shortcomings if any and try to plug that. We will be playing 17 Tests, starting with West Indies and then New Zealand, England and Australia at home.
“The goal is to remain consistent and win as many matches as you don’t go into a match thinking that you cannot win it,” the legendary leg-spinner said.
Kumble also assured that off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s injury on his right arm was “not very serious” although it is being monitored by the physio.