Anil Kumble takes reins as India head coach

Former India skipper Anil Kumble has been appointed as the head coach of the country's cricket team for next one year, said Board of Control for Cricket in India president Anurag Thakur here on Thursday.

The 45-year-old was among 57 applicants who applied for the position earlier this month. He was interviewed by the cricket advisory committee, comprising Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, on Tuesday after being included in the shortlist of 21 names.

"We are glad to say that BCCI has been very transparent as far as selection of Head coach is concerned," said the BCCI chief while adding that the appointment of bowling, batting and assistant coaches will be made soon.

Kumble's first assignment will be India's four-Test tour of West Indies, which starts from July 21.

In a glorious international career spanning over 18 years, Kumble played 132 Tests taking 619 wickets at an average of 29.65. He is known for his best figures of 10 for 74 against Pakistan in Delhi in 1999.

Besides being India's highest wicket-taker in Tests and third overall, Kumble had also taken 337 wickets in his 271 one-day internationals.

Kumble led India in 14 Test matches after being appointed as captain in November 2007.

Following his retirement a year later, he took up administrative roles as he was elected as president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association in November 2010.

He served as chairman of the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore and also headed the BCCI's technical committee.