Anil Kumble will form a potent partnership with Virat Kohli: Harbhajan Singh

Senior off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has backed Anil Kumble's selection as the new head coach of the Indian team, saying his former teammate will strike a lethal partnership with Test captain Virat Kohli. (Heartiest welcome to Kumble as India coach: Kohli)

Former captain Kumble was yesterday named coach of the Indian team by the BCCI's cricket advisory committee comprising Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman.

Harbhajan said Kohli will find the most ideal "friend, philosopher and guide" in Kumble. (Kumble: Gutsy coach won't let Team India cut quarters)

BIGGEST MATCH-WINNER

"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," Harbhajan told PTI during an interview. (Kumble 'honoured' to be part of Indian dressing room again, ready for 'big responsibility')

Having played alongside Kumble for a decade, Harbhajan straightway pointed out what Kumble would bring to the table.

"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 fourth and fifth day. He will change the misconception that Indian spinners need tailor-made wickets to win Tests at home," said India's third highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. (BCCI has complete faith in Kumble: Anurag Thakur)

STRATEGY KING

Harbhajan feels that coaching degree at the international level is the least important thing.

"Tell me what's the role of a coach? At this level, his role is to help the captain in devising strategy. In Mumbai Indians, he would speak to me and Lasith Malinga as we were the leaders in bowling department. We would tell what we are planning and he would give us his feedback. And when you got that feedback, you knew that he had done his homework," said Harbhajan. (Anil Kumble says interview with Tendulkar, Ganguly and Laxman was nerve-racking)

Harbhajan gave the example of how they had sorted out Matthew Hayden during the 2004-05 home series against Australia and it was mainly because of Kumble's planning.

"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 about the areas to bowl to Hayden. I got him out thrice, Anil bhai and (Murali) Kartik got him once for not many," Harbhajan fondly recalled. (Kumble eager to join forces with Test skipper Kohli)

Having bowled hundreds of overs from the other end, how does he describe Kumble the bowler with 619 Test wickets, especially without a vicious googly or an effective leg-break like Shane Warne?

Harbhajan replied: "His above average intelligence. You can replace Dictionary's Intelligence with Anil Kumble! His biggest asset as a bowler was ability to land the ball on seam. He could do it 95 out of 100 times. The moment SG Test lands on seam, it kicks up. So even on barren pitches, Anil bhai would get the ball to kick up. I don't think any Indian bowler has been as consistent about his length like him."

KUMBLE PAR EXCELLENCE

For Harbhajan, Kumble was a team man par excellence.

"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," concluded one half of the famed 'spin twin'.

(With PTI Inputs)