Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on Wednesday backed his former teammate and current India coach Anil Kumble, whose relations with captain Virat Kohli have reportedly hit a rough patch apparently due to the coach's overbearing attitude.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) last week invited applications for a new head coach as incumbent Kumble's one-year term comes to an end at the end of the ICC Champions Trophy in June. The latest move by the national cricket board has also fuelled speculation that the players are unhappy with the coach's style of functioning.
But Harbhajan stood firmly behind his former captain and believes Indian cricket needs the legendary leg-spinner's services. "Anil Kumble is strict, you can always talk to him about cricket. He's very hard working and believes that one shouldn't leave the match till the last ball. He's strict but he responds to hard work more than just talent. As a coach, I am sure he's going to bring a lot of good to Indian cricket. One can also see his results of last year," Harbhajan said at a conclave here.