Sunil Joshi : Anil Kumble’s reference with Bangladesh CEO got me the spin bowling coach job

Sunil Joshi had represented India in 15 Test matches and 69 ODI during a five-year span from 1996 to 2001 before turning up in Royal Challengers Bangalore colors in the first three season of the IPL. Post his retirement from international as well as domestic cricket in 2012, Joshi took up the coaching job for the Hyderabad cricket team and then was the coach for the J&K cricket team. He was then announced as the bowling coach for the Oman team for the 2016 T20 World Cup in India after which, in 2017, he was announced as the spin bowling coach for the Bangladesh cricket team for which he thanked former teammate Anil Kumble.

“I had already done first-class coaching in India and I was looking to coach international teams. Then this spin coach job came along. Anil Kumble, who knows me and my skills well as we were teammates for long, probably a good reference to the Bangladesh CEO. I had applied, and then I spoke to Anil because Anil was in ICC, his reference somewhere helped me,” said Joshi, reported The Indian Express.

After his appointment as Bangladesh’s bowling coach, the side recorded their first Test victory over Australia and all credit was given to Sunil Joshi for his assistance to the Bangladeshi spinners who wrecked havoc on the Australian batting line up.

“In any form of coaching your language becomes the most important barrier. Your route to the language which they understand, that’s where the chemistry starts. I took my time to understand what it requires, maybe a couple of weeks. With international teams, they have the base, the set-up and everything. They need to be stronger, mentally,” said the former Indian player.

In 2000, India toured Bangladesh for a one-off Test match in which Joshi was awarded the man of the match for his brilliant 92 in the first innings and his 8 wicket haul in the Test match which helped India in registering a 9 wicket win over the hosts. The Bangladeshi fans praised his role in the team's performance against Australia but were unhappy with Joshi's heroics 17 years back.

“They are very emotional people. After Australia series, a person came and told me at the airport how you won the Test for India (all those years ago!). We were all angry at you that day because you denied us the victory,” concluded the 47-year-old.