Speaking after his appointment, the leading wicket-taker for India in Tests and One-Day Internationals (ODIs) said: "It's a great honour, to be back in the Indian dressing room, in a different role, in a different capacity, and I'd like to thank BCCI for showing faith in me and the cricket advisory committee (CAC) for showing faith in me.
"It's a huge responsibility, like I mentioned, but I've always put my hand up for challenges and I'm ready to take up this role. Coach's role, in my opinion, is always done in the background, players come first and that will be my approach. It's always the players first and the coaches come later," he added.
When asked if he has any strategies on taking Indian cricket forward, the 45-year-old said it's still early days but mentioned that he did have some plans in place and was eager to discuss them with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid as well as the stakeholders of Indian cricket and the current players.
"It's a bit too early for me to speak on all of that. Yes, there is a certain plan, obviously, and the immediate series that is coming up is the West Indies. Obviously the strategy is to win. I haven't really spoken to the players yet, this is just the first reaction. There's time to think about that, sit with the players and work out how to go about it.
"It's a great thing for Indian cricket (the CAC). Sourav [Ganguly], Sachin [Tendulkar] and [VVS] Laxman, the three of them have been in advisory roles. Sourav, of course, is in an administrative role as well. And then Rahul [Dravid] is in charge of the junior team. The five of us have had a wonderful relationship on the field, and off it as well. And I think all five of us will have to sit down and do what is needed for the best interests of Indian cricket. Of course, stakeholders as far as cricket is concerned will also come in. I'm certainly looking forward to working with all of them," he said.
Appointed as head coach for a period of 12 months, Kumble's first assignment will be the tour of West Indies, where India will play four Tests. The former legspinner will also have an important role to play during India's 2016-17 home season, that will feature as many as 13 Test matches apart from eight ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals.
"The plans are there. There is a short-term plan and long one as well. I have plans for the series ahead. But I cannot plan alone, I have to share my thoughts with the entire team. The players will also share their ideas. I'll also sit discuss with the CAC, Dravid and stake holders of Indian cricket on how to take the Indian team forward," said Kumble, who took over the role that was vacant since Duncan Fletcher's tenure came to an end after the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
Kumble admitted that the coach's job will not be an easy one, considering all the travel and the time away from family, and he thanked his family for being supportive when he first decided to apply for the job.
"I'm really honoured. I certainly felt this was the time for me to give back (to the game). I spoke about it with my family as well, it's not easy travelling 365 days. It's tough on the family, we had a long chat and they've been very supportive. It's not easy to travel again, I've been on that for 18 years. So that was the major decision and once that came about I thought this was the right time to give back," he said.
On the conflict of interest issue, that arises with Kumble owning a player-management firm, the former India skipper said it will be resolved before he officially assumes his role with the Indian team. "We have already discussed that and whatever needs to be done will be done before I take up this role officially. That's been discussed and it's clear with the BCCI as well, it's something that can be resolved," Kumble said.
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