Kumble to tame cricketing brats
Bengaluru, Aug. 4: The need for a behaviour coach for Indian cricket must have been sown in Anil Kumble’s mind in 2008 in Australia. Back then, the Indian team was in a highly agitated state with the ‘monkeygate’ scandal involving Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds almost threatening a cricket upheaval.
Kumble, the skipper of the team, had famously said then “only one team played in the right spirit of the game” and it was obvious he wasn’t referring to the Australians. Cut to 2010, and Kumble, having long retired from the game, has opened up the possibility of putting on another hat, that of a Life Skills Program coordinator for the Indian team.
Having played the game at the highest level for close to 18 years, Kumble realised the Indian team’s need for a behaviour expert, one who can impart the nuances of staying calm under pressure. The gentleman cricketer that he is, the 39-year-old father of three has approached the Indian cricket board with a proposal to educate the team on personality development.
Kumble made a presentation to the BCCI a couple of months ago and it was discussed in the working committee meeting last week. Though the board hasn’t yet signed him on, it is apparent that they are interested in the project to be run by Tenwic, a division of Anil Kumble Sports Pvt Ltd.
Kumble’s proposal includes tackling the issues of ‘instant success’, self-sufficiency, anti-doping advice and management of finances. Since a berth in the Indian team brings with it name and fame, Kumble feels that a bit of managerial/corporate support could go a long way in helping the players handle their fame with a measure of respectability.
“Nothing has been formalised yet, talks are definitely still on. The moment things get formalised, we will let you know,” said Kumble’s brother Dinesh.
Kumble himself was unavailable for comment.
In principle, Kumble’s proposal envisages at least 300 cricketers involving the contracted players (A, B and C), IPL and domestic players.
Kumble, who plans to bring in a team of dedicated professionals has pegged the proposal at a cost of Rs 2.9 lakh per player, which approximately runs into Rs 8.7 crores for 300 cricketers. Inside sources in the board reveal it’s a bit too high and want Kumble to rework his proposal and cater to just the 42 contracted players.
Kumble will personally monitor the program with his team. Personality behaviour also includes conducting themselves well in public and handling media conferences.
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