Kumble out to improve India's away record

A force to be reckoned with at home, India's Test side have struggled away from the subcontinent in recent years and new head coach Anil Kumble's priority is to build a team that can travel with confidence.

The Board for Control of Cricket in India yesterday announced Kumble had signed a one-year contract as head coach, with a panel including Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman opting to appoint the former Test captain over the likes of Ravi Shastri and Australians Tom Moody and Stuart Law.

India’s record in away Tests has become an increasing concern in recent years. While dominant in home games, having won 73 per cent of Tests in India over the past five years, they’ve won just 11 per cent of matches outside of India over the same period.

With Kumble’s first assignment in his new role - a four-Test tour of the West Indies - fast-approaching, he is eager for his charges to address their woes on foreign soil.

“The first four Tests will be in the West Indies where the conditions are not that different to India,” he told the BCCI.

“But the Indian conditions are something we are all comfortable with.

“The focus will be on (improving) our overseas record and the mindset is something we need to address from home itself.

“When we sit down that’s something we’ll need to make a plan and ensure we train towards achieving those goals.”

A mammoth 13-Test home season, including a mouth-watering match-up with Steve Smith's Australians in February, awaits India upon their return from the Caribbean. New Zealand, England and Bangladesh are the other sides lined up for the bumper Indian season.

It’s set to be a whirlwind introduction to coaching for Kumble, who has no previous coaching experience at first-class or international level and is not understood to have obtained his coaching certifications.

In fact, India's all-time leading wicket-taker in both Tests and ODIs admitted when he sat down in front of former teammates Ganguly, Laxman and Tendulkar (via teleconference), Kumble was embarking on his first ever job interview.

“I’ve attended a couple of club membership interviews, other than that, for seeking a job, this was the first time I’ve attended an interview,” the 45-year-old conceded. 

“My colleagues who I’ve played with for the majority of my career were on the other side of the table, so it was very strange.

“We’ve had various meetings as part of the (India) team, various strategy meetings and various casual meetings (in their playing days).

“It was very different to present my case to the three members. Sachin was on the video conference but Dravid and Laxman were on the other side (of the table) so it was quite nerve-wracking.”

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And, with his coaching inexperience in mind, Kumble intends to begin his tenure with a hands-off mentality.

“I certainly believe the core of the team is exceptional,” he said. “All it needs is the youngsters coming through and consistent performances.

“We will get a lot of time (to prepare) prior to the tour of the West Indies.

“I’d like to observe first. It’s a new job, a new role for me and there’s an existing set of players there. 

“I’d like to play a background role – that’s my style.”