India in West Indies: Anil Kumble's Mantra to Succeed in Tests - Be 'Boring'

Anil Kumble, Indian cricket team's newly-appointed head coach, says being 'boring' is the key for any team to win consistently in the longer format of the game.

India is scheduled to play four Tests against the West Indies, starting July 21. Kumble, who is India's highest wicket-taker in the West Indies (45 scalps in 11 matches), gladly obliged and replied to fans with 30-second video responses in a session conducted on BCCI's official Twitter handle.

"In the batting department, we are looking at changing the mindset in terms of coming from a shorter format and playing the longer format," Kumble said, when asked on what India would specifically be focusing on.

.@arunk0306 #AskTheCoach pic.twitter.com/kjd3DdSITw

- BCCI (@BCCI) July 19, 2016

"From the bowling perspective, hitting good lengths consistently and being boring, as that's what a player needs to do if he has to play Test cricket. In fielding, the focus is definitely on catching. We all know how important catching is and that's been the focus in the last couple of weeks."

Talk about being boring, Kumble - who finished as the highest wicket-taker (23 wickets in four games) during India's famous series win in the Caribbean in 2006 - bowled a total of 223 overs throughout the four matches (which was also the most by an bowler in that series). Indeed, being 'boring' only gave him the tag of 'King of Kingston'.

Kumble, who is also India's highest wicket-taker in both Tests and ODIs, said if the pitches for Tests would be as slow as the team got in practice matches then spinners will have a very big role to play if India is to win the series.

.@UjwalAdiga #AskTheCoach pic.twitter.com/pxS0MoSAJs

- BCCI (@BCCI) July 19, 2016

"Spinners and fast bowlers have an equal role to play. But the wickets in the West Indies have been on the slower side so far, so I believe the likes of R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Amit Mishra will have an important role to play if we are to win the Test series," he said.

Kumble also said a lot of focus will be on the fitness of the players. "All three departments will be tested, that's why it's called Test cricket. It's a true test of character of all the three departments," he said.

"But of course what's also important is the rest period. So, it's not just the three departments but the fitness and the recovery as well. All bases need to covered before the start of the series," he added.

When asked whether India is focusing on developing Ashwin as a proper Test all-rounder, Kumble praised Ashwin's batting ability but added there are lot of other players who are handy with the bat lower down the order.

.@arvindnataraj_k #AskTheCoach pic.twitter.com/7xyqC76aby

- BCCI (@BCCI) July 19, 2016

"I certainly believe Ashwin is an extremely capable batsman. We are also blessed with some of the other lower middle-order batsmen who are extremely capable at the Test level. So, the focus is not just on the bowlers bowling but also bowlers batting. And I'm sure they'll not only contribute in upcoming series but also in the future as well," he concluded.