Quotes from Anil Kumble

I think people believe that Bengaluru as a city will be more aware because of its cosmopolitan nature. However, I don't think that is necessarily true. Not many people today are even aware that they may have diabetes.

I just want to go out and enjoy my game and ensure that I contribute to the team's success, to whatever I was doing before. I would like to continue that if not better whatever I was doing. It's important for me to ensure that we win every time we go out, that's the personal target and team goal.

It is true that when you're defending a target, you tend to be more ruthless when you're defending a lower target than a 300-plus one because you have the comfort of runs in the latter case.

In a team game, everybody's contribution is very important.

One thing I will ensure is that whether we win or lose, the fighting spirit should always be there.

The coach's role is in the background; it's the players who come first. I am ready to take this role.

I certainly believe Bengaluru is a wonderful place to live in, equipped with all the amenities one would expect from a leading city. Its contemporary, cosmopolitan, vibrant and forward-thinking set-up definitely sets it apart.

This is my belief, whether its practice, a match, or whatever - your mind has to be ticking all the time. As for the team, yes, it needs an overall vision, for the same reason, because it gives us something to work towards.

It will be wonderful to get into the Indian dressing room as the coach. I am really looking forward to the challenge and the huge responsibility. I know there will be a lot of expectations and that is something which I am looking forward to.

No matter where I end up in terms of wickets or the number of matches that I play, I think people will always remember me taking 10 wickets. So it is something that is always going to be special for me and for Indian cricket.

Performance comes only when there is confidence. And for a player, his confidence increases if he knows his team-mates are confident of him, the media is confident of him, the fans back him.

I played a lot under John Wright, he's been a great influence on how I'll go about the job, in terms of being in the background. When I became a mentor for Mumbai Indians, I brought John in because he understood a lot about Indian culture and then the way coaches work.

Having myself bowled in the early stages of the innings, with field restrictions in place and two men perforce required in catching positions, I know what it takes to bowl on unresponsive tracks against quality batsmen.

Diabetes is a silent killer and awareness about the same is certainly lacking, hence I felt there was a need for me to get involved and assist in creating the required awareness.

Yes, you have to treat playing Pakistan just like you would any other side, but in other matches, you often stress on the processes knowing that the result will take care of itself. Against Pakistan, the result is more important than the process, and that is the simple truth.

I've played my cricket very sincerely and honestly, that's the approach my team takes, and we expect that from Australia as well.

It is challenging at times, especially while I am travelling, but my training gear and sports shoes are among the first things that go into my suitcase so that I can get in a good work-out session wherever I am.

If I am trying to set up someone then I might go up to the keeper and say that I might bowl down the leg side. That's where you feel that if the 'keeper has a longer stint, he will read you better.

The way I handle it is by preparing for any match in the same way. I stick to a routine and I stick to it no matter whether I am playing a Ranji Trophy game or an international game.

What we tend to forget in a skill-based game, is that if you start paying too much attention to mind games, you'll get into all kinds of avoidable issues. It's not easy to ignore them, but you have to try.

My basic strength has been accuracy, line and length and I've always worked on that. I knew that would hopefully never leave me. Even if I don't bowl for three months, the first time I go out I would still be able to land it on the spot.

Cricket is all about looking out for your mate and playing as a unit.

I became captain after playing 17 years for India so probably I became captain by default because nobody else wanted it.

I generally try to bowl one-on-one with the 'keeper and bowl all the deliveries in my arsenal so that he can have a good look.