Former India Test captain Anil Kumble has been appointed as India's new coach for a period of one year, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BBCI) confirmed on 23 June, Wednesday.
A statement on the BCCI's official website read, "Former India captain Anil Kumble has been appointed coach of the national side for one year."
The right-arm former leg spinner becomes the first Indian to become the coach since Kapil Dev stepped down from his post in 2010. He replaces Duncan Fletcher as the Zimbabwean finished his term following the 2015 ICC World Cup in Australia, where India lost to Australia in the semi-final.
Since Fletcher's departure, Ravi Shastri continued in his role as Team Director. Only Kumble's role has been confirmed and the BCCI is still to announce bowling, batting and assistant coaches are set to follow and the same was confirmed by BCCI president Anurag Thakur.
On Kumble's appointment as India's coach, Thakur said: "Anil Kumble has been finalised. Not fair for other applicants that names are discussed. We took time because we wanted to pick the best. We take feedback from everyone, including media. This game is followed by millions."
According to ESPNCricinfo, Kumble was one among the 57 candidates applied for the vacant job of India coach. After 21 candidates were shortlisted, Kumble held talks with the cricket advisory committee, which was led by former BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale and Kumble's former teammates Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman.
