IPL 2020 — Anil Kumble: It’s Indian Premier League and you have only 1 Indian as head coach
In IPL 2020, Anil Kumble is the only Indian head coach. Here is what he said about lack of Indian head coaches in the cash-rich Twenty20 league
FollowDubai: The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) is set to commence in the UAE on September 19 with defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) facing Chennai Super Kings (CSK). All the eight coaches are busy finalising their plans on how to win the coveted trophy. Among the eight head coaches there is only one Indian in Anil Kumble.
Since IPL began in the year 2008, there have been numerous debates as to why there are not many Indian coaches with the franchises. Now again that debate is back.
Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) are the only one franchise who have an Indian as their head coach. Kumble is flying the Indian flag. Ahead of the tournament, he termed it an irony that it is called the Indian Premier League but there is only one Indian as the head coach.
“I can’t answer that question (why other teams don’t have Indian head coaches). I don’t think it gives a true reflection of the quality or the availability of the Indian resources. It’s bit of an irony right? It’s the Indian Premier League and then you have only one Indian as the head coach. I am hopeful that there will be more Indian coaches in the mix,” the former India captain said in an online media interaction from Dubai.
In the current edition of IPL, the other seven coaches are Ricky Ponting (Delhi Capitals), Mahela Jayawardene (Mumbai Indians), Simon Katich (Royal Challengers Bangalore), Trevor Bayliss (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Brendon McCullum (Kolkata Knight Riders), Andre McDonald (Rajasthan Royals) and Stephen Fleming (Chennai Super Kings).
Like Kumble, many Indians are hoping to see more local coaches in IPL.
