India opening batsman Murali Vijay says he is a big fan of newly appointed head coach Anil Kumble and the players have a lot to learn from the leg-spinner.
“My first Test match was his last Test match and I did not spend lot of time with him, but I have been a great fan of him,” he told reporters on the second day of the India camp at the KSCA stadium on Wednesday.
“It is a great opportunity for youngsters to talk to him about cricket and learn from him and move forward. So it will be a great time for us,” the opening batsman said.
When asked about the Kumble-Virat Kohli combination, Vijay said it would be early to make a comment on that but he expects the team to have ‘great 12 months’ ahead of it.
“I can’t talk anything ahead of time. It will be too early to comment on that, but it is going to be great 12 months for us as a team — that much I can guarantee you. We are going to be up for it and we just want to be best in coming 12 months,” he said.
On the upcoming home Test series
When asked about the difference playing the West Indies in their backyard, Vijay said it is going to be an entertaining series and will give a boost to their confidence to take on New Zealand in the subsequent series at home.
“It is a great place to play cricket because there is more fun and there is competition inside. So, we cannot ask for more as a sportsperson. There is entertainment overall and we are looking forward for this series,” he said.
“It will be a confidence booster for us to play and perform and execute our plans. Thereafter, come back and play matches in the home series. So there is lot of stake for us.”
