Aussie great Glenn McGrath hails Anil Kumble's fighting spirit, predicts great times for Indian cricket under new coach

New Delhi: Anil Kumble, the new Indian coach, continues to command respect from past masters. Legendary Australian pacer Glenn McGrath has hailed Kumble's appointment as India coach as "great move".

Talking to The Times of India, McGrath said, "I think it's a great move. I have always believed bowlers are the smartest ones (laughs). Whether you are batsman or a bowler, you have to be a good man-manager."

The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman selected Kumble as India's new coach, with the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) appointing the spin legend to the top job on June 23.

"I think Anil has been there for a long time in the game, and I am sure he would do a very good job as coach of the Indian team. I haven't seen him as a coach, but as a player Anil was a fighter who wouldn't give an inch, and he would take the same attitude into his coaching as well," McGrath added.

Kumble will get his first task as coach when India play West Indies Cricket Board President's XI in a two-day warm-up game at St Kitts.

India will play West Indies in a four-match Test series, staring July 21 at North Sound.