Focus, determination Anil's strength: Sujith

Former Indian cricketer and mind coach Sujith Somasundar singled out Anil Kumble's focus, determination and ability to bring individuals together as the key factors that would come to the fore in his tenure as the coach of the Indian team.

Somasundar highlighted Kumble's grace and tact during the infamous 'Monkeygate' incident in the 2008 series against Australia; his grit and determination when bowling with a broken jaw against the West Indies in 2002; and his courage to lead out a nervous Royal Challengers Bangalore team into a 2010 Indian Premier League clash following explosions outside the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru as signs that Indian cricket had chosen a true leader.

"It is the right choice simply because he is a capable, well respected individual," the 43-year-old Somasundar, also a mental toughness coach who has studied under noted US-based sports psychologist Dr Patrick Cohn, said of Kumble.

"As a captain of India, he excelled in the tough tour of Australia in 2008. The team needs somebody of that stature now. Being an engineer, he is a good strategist and an organized individual," said the 43-year-old, who added that Kumble possessed the qualities you would normally associate with a foreign coach.

Somasundar suggested Kumble's ability to stay in the moment was something the young players in the Indian team could learn from. "He has the ability to let go of the past and focus on the result. He lays emphasis on the job at hand and looks to get it done. This is an important quality . Against the Windies in 2002, he realized his job was to bowl for India. He could have easily focused on his injury and the consequences of bowling with a broken jaw but he didn't," said Somasundar, who captained Kumble on his return from a shoulder injury in a Ranji Trophy match in 2005.

Somasundar said relationship management would be another area Kumble would excel in. "He is a well-respected individual simply because of how he has conducted himself and how he has worked hard and performed for India. In terms of emotional quotient, I have observed that he is one who respects others and accepts people the way they are. These traits will come in handy ," he added.

A fellow coach himself, with stints managing the Kerala team in Ranji cricket, Somasundar admitted Kumble's task would not be easy despite all his abilities. "It is a big challenge because all eyes are on him and an Indian team."