Five reasons why coach Anil Kumble has been a positive influence on Indian cricket

#1 Renewed focus on sharpening the team’s mental strength

India’s relentlessness to pursue victories has helped open up a sizeable lead at the top of the Test rankings

Since Kohli succeeded MS Dhoni at the helm, there has been a renewed sense of intent and ruthlessness to the team’s attitude in Tests. In particular, the last few months have seen a noticeable difference in the body language of the players.

Despite finding themselves in tricky positions at times, they never panicked and stuck to their plans. Renowned for his steely resolve to run in hard even after sending down 40 or 50 overs, Kumble’s emphasis on the mental aspect of the game has paid rich dividends.

The fifth Test in Chennai was a perfect example of the team’s stirring character. Even though the series had already been sealed and the pitch not doing much, the bowlers kept pushing for the win and eventually succeeded. Such steadfastness has enabled India to open up a sizeable lead at the top of the Test rankings.