After weeks of speculation, the moment it was announced that Anil Kumble would take over as India’s new head coach, social media went abuzz. From players to cricket experts, fans to journalists, almost everyone congratulated India’s greatest leg-spinner on his return to the Indian dressing room.
Test captain Virat Kohli who played under Kumble’s captaincy at Royal Challengers Bangalore extended his heartiest welcome:
Heartiest welcome to @anilkumble1074 Sir. Look forward to your tenure with us. Great things in store for Indian Cricket with you 😊
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) June 23, 2016
One of India’s most dependable batsmen, Ajinkya Rahane said he looked forward to working with Kumble:
Congratulations to @anilkumble1074 sir. Looking forward to work with you. Your presence will take us forward. Cheers
— ajinkyarahane88 (@ajinkyarahane88) June 24, 2016
With Kohli and Rahane around, Shikhar Dhawan couldn’t be far behind:
Congratulations sir @anilkumble1074 on becoming the coach of #TeamIndia! Looking forward to the long season ahead @BCCI
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) June 23, 2016
Then there were others, cricketers who were making their mark in the domestic scene around the time Kumble was captaining the Indian side:
Congrats Anil bhai on your appointment as the new Team India coach. Wish you all the best. @anilkumble1074
— Ashoke Dinda (@dindaashoke) June 23, 2016
Congrats @anilkumble1074 bhai on your appointment as head coach of Team India. I am sure you will excel in the new role. All the best!
— Manoj Tiwary (@tiwarymanoj) June 23, 2016
But the icing on the cake was when Kumble’s former teammates joined in, with Gautam Gambhir leading the pack:
Congrats @anilkumble1074 for being appointed as India coach. Best choice @bcci, hopefully he'll take Indian cricket to new heights.
— GGF (@GautamGambhir) June 23, 2016
Great news for indian cricket..congratulation Anil Bhai @anilkumble1074 for becoming the head coach of @BCCI ..good luck going forward 🏏👆🔝
— Harbhajan Singh (@harbhajan_singh) June 23, 2016
Jumbo news 4Team India.Congrats @anilkumble1074
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 23, 2016
To have a coach who cud play wid broken jaw wud be an inspiration fr guys in dressing room.
Congratulations jumbo!. @anilkumble1074 hope your experience and legacy can take Indian cricket to greater heights! All the best!
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) June 23, 2016
The final word, as always is Sanjay Manjrekar’s:
The Indian cricket team now has a coach who will put his heart & soul in the job. Anil Kumble knows no other way of working.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) June 23, 2016
