Press Trust of India
Fort Lauderdale, August 26: Since taking over the mantle of the head coach of the Indian cricket team, this will be the first occasion when the Anil Kumble-MS Dhoni combo will be working together in a series. And the former Indian captain is pretty excited at the prospect of what lies ahead.
“This is the first time that I’ll be working with MS (Dhoni), obviously we have played together over a long period of time and we had a chat yesterday (Wednesday) and today (Thursday) as well. I’m really looking forward to working with him and the new set of boys like (Jasprit) Bumrah. It’s nice to be a part of a different India dressing room again,” Kumble told reporters here Thursday. “I am relishing the interactions. He (MSD) still has a lot to offer.”
Impressed by the facilities at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium here Kumble asserted that the two T20 internationals against West Indies is the start of a ‘new beginning’ for cricket in the USA. “It is going to become an annual event and I am sure that many more Indian teams will come here and play in future,” stated Kumble. “The US has a huge Indian diaspora who want quality cricket. I am hopeful we will be able to give them that.”
Kumble remarked that he is satisfied with the results in the preceding Test series, but informed that the T20 matches will be a different ball game altogether. He is also sure that as T20 World Champs, the West Indies would like to hold their own against the Indians.
“The West Indies have an advantage… most of their top players are coming straight from the CPL. So they are in the T20 mode,” informed Kumble. “We, on the other hand will have to change our mindsets quickly. They are a tough side, we will have to be at our best to beat them,” added the Indian coach.