Anil Kumble denies allegations of applying late for India coach job

The India coach selection has created demons that have just refused to die. While the Shastri-Ganguly tussle has reached heights of its own with Shastri calling the ex-India captain “disrespectful”, reports also recently surfaced that Kumble was not in the original shortlist prepared for the interviews and that he had applied late beyond the timeline.

Refuting the allegations, Kumble insisted that his application was sent before the deadline.

Kumble said, "The application was sent well within the time limit. I am surprised at reports of me applying after the deadline surfaced," reported PTI.

Kumble has been questioned over his conflict of interest as well with him holding the role of Chairman of the ICC cricket committee. But the new India coach dismissed those as well saying, "There is absolutely no conflict of interest. All things have been addressed”.

"There is the ICC Cricket Committee, for which I will not be able to dedicate as much time. However, I see no reason why I cannot continue as its chairman. There are other national coaches like Darren Lehmann on the committee. [Also part of it are] Andrew Strauss, who is England and Wales Cricket Board director, England Cricket, and Dravid, who is the India A coach," he told The Week in an interview.

Further on, Kumble admitted that it was "a bit strange" being interviewed by his former team-mates.

"I mean, we guys have held so many meetings in the past to discuss the game.... It was a pretty nervous idea, meeting them like this," said India's highest Test wicket taker.

It was also a welcome admission when Kumble said that India needs to turn into a consistent team, and that would mean performing on all surfaces and not just in tailor-made Indian pitches.

Kumble said, "To be a consistent team. (We have to) look to win everywhere —- on all surfaces, in all conditions —- and not just at home," reported PTI.

Indian cricket has never looked in better hands with Dravid, Ganguly, and now Kumble holding serious positions in the administration of the sport. Speaking about it, Kumble said, "It is great that Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly, who is also an administrator, are all in the CAC. There is Rahul Dravid, too, who is the India A and under 19 coach. We all are trying to contribute to the game in various ways. We will all have to sit down and do what is needed to take Indian cricket forward”.

Kumble also revealed that he had no masterplan to take over the role of the most important job in Indian cricket. He said, "Basically, I was taking a break post retirement. I went on a proper holiday with my family after nine years. The question of what next was always on my mind. I saw the BCCI advertisement in the papers and decided to apply for it," reported PTI.