Indian cricket team coach Anil Kumble on Thursday lauded Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his leadership qualities, saying he is the ‘perfect ambassador for the sport’.

“MS (Dhoni), coming from Ranchi, nobody expected that someone from Ranchi would be leading the country. And the way he has led the (team), 10 years as a captain, it’s extremely difficult. But to be Indian captain for 10 years is something unheard of and hats off to the way he conducted himself as a captain of the team. He was perfect ambassador for the sport,” said Kumble.

“And I don’t think anything ruffled him. You did not know what he was thinking, he would always go with his gut. It was amazing to win two World Cups, Champions Trophy and No. 1 in Test, you can’t ask for more.”

Kumble, the highest wicket-taker for India in both Tests and ODIs, also heaped praised on Virat Kohli saying the transformation of the current India skipper from a 19-year-old to the present time has been brilliant.

“Virat Kohli, brilliance. I think one word is very difficult (to describe him). I have seen him develop from a 19-year-old, who walked into Royal Challengers (Bangalore) first time after he won the (U-19) World Cup as a captain, to the transformation that you see now, it’s been brilliant. To

see someone that passionate, that kind of motivation and dedication he has,” Kumble said.

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