Since taking over as India coach in June last year, Anil Kumble has enjoyed tremendous success in the role.

Under Kumble’s guidance, India are yet to lose a single Test – winning 10 and drawing three from a total of 13. During the same time, the Indian team has risen to number one spot in the ICC Test Rankings.

What seems to have helped the team’s cause is the fact that Kumble and India skipper Virat Kohli look to be working very well together.

On the eve of the first Test against Australia at Pune, Kohli credited the legendary spinner for helping him channel his aggression on the field.

“I was working on those things already on a constant basis. I wanted to learn from my mistakes and evolve as a person. Anil bhai coming into play channelled it much better in terms of his experience,” said Kohli.

“He was a very aggressive player in his head as well. But he knew when to use that aggression and how to channel it. So he has helped me in that aspect a little bit.”

With 619 Test wickets to his name, Kumble is India’s most successful bowler of all-time and Kohli feels that the Bangalorean’s mindset is rubbing off on the players.

“Apart from that, what he has really brought into the side is the mindset of taking wickets as bowlers. He was a
spinner but used to think as a fast bowler, he was that aggressive with his thinking. That’s why he ended up taking the highest Test wickets for India,” added Kohli.

“He was an out-and-out match-winner and the mindset rubs on to the players in the change room as well. There is so much to learn from him especially for the bowlers.

“The way he thought about getting batsmen out, the way he used to set them up. And the way he worked on his fitness and skills as well. So everyone takes a lot of inspiration from him.”