Kumble recommends Sunil Joshi’s name for Bangladesh’s spin-bowling coach

02/12/2017

Anil Kumble has suggested former India left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi's name for the role of spin-bowling coach of Bangladesh after their board sought Kumble’s help in the effort. It has also been reported that Joshi is currently in Hyderabad to have discussions with Bangladesh Board President.

Despite playing international cricket in the subcontinent for a long time, Bangladesh hasn't been able to produce any world-class spinners, apart from all-rounder Shakib al Hassan, who is more of a batsman than a spinner. But in the last one year, Bangladesh has made two good additions to their ranks in the form of Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam.

PTI has reported that BCB officials had asked Indian coach Anil Kumble to suggest the name of an able candidate to help the young Bangladesh spinners and in response, Kumble has suggested the name of his former Karnataka teammate Sunil Joshi, who is right now the coach of the Assam Ranji Trophy team.

"Yes, Sunil was approached by BCB after Anil suggested his name. As things stand, there has been some preliminary discussion. Initially, there were talks that he (Joshi) will be with the team before the start of this Test and stay on since there was a window after Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy's zonal leg. But now there are talks of a long-term deal. So Sunil is in Hyderabad to look at what kind of contract BCB is offering him,” a source said, reported PTI.

The source added, "Since this Test match is over, Sunil will ideally like to complete his assignment with the Assam team. The Vijay Hazare Trophy is still left and after that, he can be available if everything falls in place. Obviously, Kumble's words mean a lot to him and the Indian coach is very much in the loop about the developments.”

If the BCB appoints Joshi as the coach, then in all probability, he will travel to Sri Lanka for Bangladesh's two-match Test series next month.