Harbhajan Singh hails Anil Kumble as a perfect team man

Harbhajan Singh is probably one of those players who has an insight about the new Indian cricket team coach, Anil Kumble. Harbhajan said that Kumble is a team man par excellence, while speaking about different situations his former bowling partner handled in his cricketing career.

“Often, there were times in overseas conditions, when a single spinner played and Anil bhai had to sit out because of team composition. I have never seen him get upset or lose his cool. His attitude in those time had been: If it benefits the team, he is game. That’s what is being a perfect team man,” Harbhajan told PTI during an interview.

Bhajji said that Virat is the one who doesn’t believe in draws and Kumble is no different. “With no disrespect to anyone, Anil Kumble will forever remain India’s greatest ever match-winner in Test cricket. And he will bring that hunger to win in this team also. Virat will get to learn a lot from the man himself. Virat doesn’t believe in draws and neither did Anil bhai. He will be Virat’s ideal friend, philosopher, and guide,” he said.

He also pointed out the that Kumble will change the “misconception that Indian spinners need tailor-made wickets to win Tests at home.”

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“Unbelievable work ethic and discipline. And top it all, his ability to devise strategies against opposition batsmen. Let me tell you, under Anil bhai, boys will learn the art of winning Test matches on the fourth and fifth day,” the third leading wicket-taker for India in Test matches commented.

Harbhajan also explained with an example how Kumble planned against a particular batsman. “During the 2001 series, Hayden got 549 runs. With his reach, he was even sweeping deliveries well outside the off-stump. During the 2004-05 series, even though we lost 1-2, we had sorted Hayden out as he got less than 250 runs (244 runs in 8 innings). It was Anil bhai, who made me aware of the areas to bowl to Hayden. I got him out thrice, Anil bhai and (Murali) Kartik got him once for not many,” he fondly recalled.

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