Anil Kumble selected as Indian team coach, Anil Kumble, BCCI, Team India new coach, Indian Cricket Team Coach
Wright was India's head coach from 2000 to 2005, and was head coach at Mumbai Indians in 2013-14, when Kumble served as the team's mentor. Kirsten was India's head coach from 2008 - Kumble's last year as a Test cricketer - to 2011.
Almost five years after retiring from international cricket, Kumble is back. The Karnataka leg-spinner will be part of the Indian dressing room again. This time, he has piped 56 other candidates including the likes of Ravi Shastri and Tom Moody to become Team India's head coach.
"I played a lot under John Wright, he's been a great influence on how I'll go about [the role], in terms of being in the background," Kumble told bcci.tv. "When I became a mentor for Mumbai Indians, I brought John in because he understood a lot about Indian culture and then the way coaches work. So I'll pick his brain.
"I was involved with Gary Kirsten only for the Test matches, a very short period. He was, again, someone who worked in the background and didn't make himself visible. Exactly how I'd like to work as well. Not in the front, but behind the scenes."
As a bowler, Kumble combined a cerebral approach with a willingness to keep pounding in for long spells no matter what the match situation. Accordingly, he said his coaching style would have "a bit of everything", giving data its due while trying to strengthen his players' response to adversity.
Anil Kumble will be an excellent organiser and a top team man. And knowing him, he will respect the fact that the captain runs the team. --- Harsha Bhogle
Anil Kumble is an outstanding choice as coach of India. The expectations from him will be huge. #KumbleForIndia --- Megha Mohapatra
'GREAT TIME FOR INDIAN CRICKET'
The legendary spinner said he cannot wait to join forces with his former teammates again. He added he would work with them closely to take Indian cricket forward.
"This is a great time for Indian cricket. I have played for long with Sourav, Sachin, VVS and Rahul (Dravid) is also guiding the junior team.
"The five of us share wonderful relation on the field and off it as well. It will be great for the five us to get together and take Indian cricket forward," he said.
'SPOKEN TO VIRAT KOHLI'
Kumble, who has been given a one-year contract, said his immediate focus would be on the four-Test tour to West Indies.
"I am looking forward to work with the team. We are going to West Indies soon, the focus will be on the Test series. I have spoken to Virat Kohli. It's nice to have a camp in Bengaluru ahead of the West Indies tour."
Kumble also said he believed in the potential of the young team at his disposal.
"I believe this team has the potential. It driven by a young leader. I am looking forward to work with Kohli and MS Dhoni as well."
'WRIGHT A BIG INFLUENCE'
The leg-spinner revealed he had learnt a lot from former India coach John Wright and would pick his brain when it came to working from behind the scenes.
"I played a lot under John Wright. He will be a big influence in terms of how I would go about my job, about being in the background. When I became the mentor of Mumbai Indians, I brought John in. He understood a lot about the Indian culture. I would certainly pick his brain," he said.
Kumble said it was necessary for him to be in the middle with the young team and that he felt this was the right time to get involved.