Calcutta: Kapil Dev, an icon to say the least, spoke to The Telegraph from Olbia (Italy) on Saturday morning.

India's first captain to win a cricket World Cup, Kapil spoke exclusively on our new head coach - Anil Kumble.

Incidentally, Kapil (now 57) was himself India's coach in 1999-2000.

Excerpts...

Q First thoughts on Kumble's appointment?

A As a move, it's wonderful. The Board has acted wisely in appointing somebody who played till as recently as eight years ago. The head coach should, in my opinion, be somebody who retired four, six or eight years ago. Not former players like me who retired in the 1990s. Cricket has changed in the past decade and the appointment of somebody contemporary, like Anil, has to be welcomed.

When you talk about players of your generation and of the recent past, is it about a difference in mindset?

It is. The thinking of somebody who played in the 1980s or in the 1990s will be quite different to somebody who played till 2008, like Anil. There's a new format, there's so much help from technology.

You have, on occasions, told me that Kumble never got the recognition an achiever like him deserved. Could this be seen as a way of recognising his contribution to Indian cricket?

It would be wrong to see Anil's appointment as a means of recognising everything he has given to Indian cricket... You don't make somebody the head coach as a way of recognition... Certain people are flamboyant, others aren't. They prefer to go about things quietly. Anil is in the second category. But is he any less an achiever than the rest of us? No.

Won't Kumble be under more pressure because he's only been given a one-year contract? Isn't it now a greater challenge for him?

Instead of looking at his appointment as a challenge, Anil should look to enjoy his innings as the head coach. That way, there won't be any (extra) pressure.

But what's the No.1 challenge for Kumble?

To keep winning.

What were your impressions of Kumble when he first played for India, in early 1990?

Ordinary, in some ways. However, with time, Anil learnt and improved by leaps and bounds... He wanted to get better. Kept improving to finish with 619 Test wickets.

Kumble's India career was over an 18-year period. What, for you, stood out?

Confidence, fighting spirit, courage.

You've just mentioned 'courage'... Would Kumble taking to the field despite a broken jaw in Antigua (2002) be a defining moment in his illustrious career?

Anil had many defining moments, like the 10-wicket haul in a single Test innings (Kotla, in 1999)... Maybe, it would be difficult to count them... As for that Antigua Test, Anil showed he valued playing for India and just wouldn't give up, no matter what the circumstances.

As you're yourself a former India coach, what would be your tips for Kumble?

Anil is smart enough to know what to do... He has a mind of his own... Anil made us proud of his achievements on the field. Hopefully, he'll make us proud as India's head coach too.

Who is an ideal coach?

At the international level, coaches don't teach a batsman how to bat or a bowler how to bowl. At the top-most level it is about man management. Essentially, you manage players, don't coach them. Building and enhancing confidence is part of the exercise.

Are there dos and don'ts for a head coach?

Individuals are different, they come with their own thinking... One can't say that Greg Chappell should have been like John Wright or that Gary Kirsten ought to have followed the Chappell way.

But the coach/head coach has to remain in the background, not try and usurp the space which belongs to players...

Oh, absolutely.

Test captain Virat Kohli is fiercely competitive, so was Kumble as a player... Would that make it easier for the two to gel?

Should... I'm sure such things were kept in mind when Anil got the nod. It's important for the captain/captains to gel with the coach/head coach.

Ravichandran Ashwin, for one, should benefit a lot from Kumble's presence...

Definitely. Their mindset, in any case, seems to be similar. The experience of Anil and the exuberance of Ashwin would be a nice mix.

Ravi Shastri, who served as the team director for almost a year-and-a-half, lost out and he's landed in an awkward spot...

It would have been nice if Ravi was there, but are we going to doubt the wisdom of Sachin (Tendulkar), Sourav Ganguly and (VVS) Laxman? They have been outstanding cricketers and, really, their thinking on the subject should not be questioned. The Board must have given some thought to their recommendation. Sachin, Sourav and Laxman have a wise head.

Lastly... Would you be keen to mentor the current lot of new-ball bowlers?

I'm happy and content with whatever I'm doing... Soon enough, I'll be out on the golf course.

Postscript: Kapil had been invited to a one-day event for corporates and celebrities. "I'd won it last year, but will probably finish fourth this time," he said at around 11.00 pm (IST).