Former legspinner Anil Kumble has no concerns over the length of his contract as India's new head coach, believing he has enough time and matches to make an impact.
Kumble, whose only coaching experience has been as mentor of the Mumbai and Bangalore teams in the Indian Premier League, was given a one-year term last week by the Indian cricket board (BCCI).
For the post, the BCCI received 57 applications which were made available to an advisory panel including former captains Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly and ex-batsman VVS Laxman.
"I am talking about a journey," former Indian skipper Kumble told reporters in his first media conference since bagging the job. "There are 17 Test matches in the next 12 months.
"I just look at that as an opportunity to gain experience and contribute to Indian cricket."
Kumble's first assignment is a four-Test series in the West Indies, after which India are set for a bumper season of home action when they will play 13 Tests, eight ODIs and three T20 internationals.
They start with three tests against New Zealand, while England and Australia will play five and four matches respectively. Bangladesh will also play a one-off Test.
India won their last Test series in the Caribbean 1-0 and Kumble was confident they would return victorious again.
"When I became captain, I never thought if I will be captain for a year or longer," the 45-year-old said. "This team has potential and we will go for wins in those 17 matches.
"There will be some hard moments but I am sure we will come out of those."
Kumble, who heads the ICC's cricket committee, is India's most-successful bowler, capturing 619 wickets in 132 Tests and 337 from 271 ODIs.
"It's important the bowling group believe that they are leaders, which they are.
"I understand the role of staying in the background and it's the captain who takes all the calls on the field.
"I will only assist him by giving him whatever necessary information there is in terms of strategy, progression."
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