Retired Kumble still has his hands full

Kolkata: Nearly two years after his retirement, Anil Kumble is still a talked about personality, not only in India but in international cricket.

The gentleman cricketer still continues to be a threat in T20 format and is now gearing up to lead the Bangalore Royal Challengers in the upcoming Champions League next month.

Meanwhile, he has his hands full with plans for Indian cricket as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is very keen to seek his help on various subjects.

In a telephone interview with Gulf News on the eve of his departure for South Africa for a spinners' clinic, the highest wicket taker for India unfolds his plan.

Excerpts:

Gulf News: What exactly will be your role with the spinners in South Africa?

Anil Kumble: I have been asked by Cricket South Africa's Chief Executive Gerald Majola to speak at their Annual Conference and to spend a few hours with the spinners.

Will there be any chance of doing the same with the Indian spinners?

See, I do talk to Harbhajan Singh more often but did not do anything formally.

If anybody is willing, I am always there to suggest a thing or two for anyone.

You are supposed to be working with the Indian cricketers regarding their personality development. When will that start?

It is still too early. The BCCI and my company has agreed to do it on principle, but the rest has to be worked out. It would start only after that.

What will be your role there?

It is a new concept about which I am excited too. There are too many challenges faced by a modern day cricketer.

We have to address them and make some suggestions. Since I was part of the Indian team for almost two decades, I feel I can suggest a few things for them.

You will be in South Africa again for the Champions Trophy in September. When will you start your preparation?

Once I come back from South Africa, I'll start practising again.

At the moment, I'm training a little bit, but the full-fledged training will resume after I come back.

Are you following Indian cricket now?

Definitely, why not? I do keep track of who is doing what.