Kumble to try out fresh ideas

New Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee Anil Kumble says he would bring fresh and modern ideas to the table to help take the game forward at the global level, besides meeting the various challenges it faces currently.

The former India captain realises that his newest job is a big responsibility, but at the same time he is happy that he has an opportunity to give cricketers’ perspective to the policy making at the top.

“It’s a great honour to be part of the ICC Cricket Committee. It’s a great responsibility. The people who have chaired the meetings [of this committee] have been the legends of the game,” Kumble told Mail Today.

The former ace leg-spinner was referring to his predecessors and ex-captains Sunil Gavaskar and West Indies’ Clive Lloyd who had previously chaired the committee.

“It’s a recommendatory committee and people listen to what this committee says. I am aware of the responsibilities and I am sure we will be able to bring in cricketers’ perspective into this whole thing. We will look at various challenges that cricket faces,” he said.

“And also try and bring in some fresh ideas as well. That’s the whole objective -the game moving forward. That’s the most important thing.”

Kumble said he will work in tandem with his co-members on the panel.

“Hopefully, I will be able to bring in new and contemporary ideas to the cricket committee. I have just seen the current list of members and I see some colleagues of mine,” said Kumble who turns 42 on Wednesday.

He was pointing to Andrew Strauss, Mark Taylor, Kumar Sangakkara, Tim May, Gary Kirsten, and Ravi Shastri.

“I would like to interact with them and understand their views and challenges that a particular country face. It will be nice to interact with them on a global platform,” he said.

Before being appointed head of the BCCI technical committee 10 days ago, the Bangalore-based Kumble also chaired a six-member high profile special committee that approved some suggestions and made some of its own in the Ranji Trophy for the upcoming season.

Since announcing his retirement from international cricket in November 2008 at his favourite Ferozeshah Kotla, Kumble has worn many hats.

He is president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association and co-vice chairman of the Karnataka State Board for Wildlife, besides being the chairman of the National Cricket Academy till some time ago.

He says he has made crucial contributions to all the responsibilities that he has undertaken. And on devoting time to the various tasks, he has a clear cut demarcation.

“Priorities are there and, obviously, you need to manage all of that,” he said.

“I certainly have contributed to all the various hats that I have worn. It entails certain commitment, certain responsibility and contributions that people expect. And all the hats that I have worn are in honorary capacity. The only commercial interest is my business,” he clarified.