Leg-spin great Anil Kumble takes over as India coach

Anil Kumble has been announced as the new head coach of India on a one-year deal.

Kumble took 619 Test wickets in a glittering career as one of the world's leading spin bowlers and he beat off competition from Ravi Shastri, who had been in charge of the team for more than a year in a team director role.

The 45-year-old retired from international cricket in 2008 and continued to play in the Indian Premier League until early 2013 but he comes into the job without any high-profile coaching experience.

Since his retirement Kumble has held a mentoring role with the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians and also been involved with the Indian Cricket Board's (BCCI) technical committee.

Kumble's first challenge comes in a four-Test series in the West Indies next month and he becomes the first Indian to take on the role since Kapil Dev in 2000.

"It's a great honour to be back again in the Indian dressing room in a different role and in a different capacity," Kumble said.

"It's a huge responsibility, I have always put my hand up for challenges and I am ready to take up this role.

Kumble was selected from a list of 57 applicants for the role and BCCI president Anurag Thakur said: "It's not about an Indian or foreign coach. It's about who is the best for Indian cricket. Their presentations - how they will take Indian cricket forward. India deserves the best, and I think we have it in Kumble."

BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke added: "Kumble is transforming himself from a great on the field into a great coach."