--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I became captain after playing 17 years…" description: "\"I became captain after playing 17 years for India so probably I became captain by default because nobody else wanted it.\" — Anil Kumble" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/740/anil-kumble-10705_because_i-became-captain-after-playing-17-years_1450520.jpg" --- # I became captain after playing 17 years for India so… ![“I became captain after playing 17 years for India so probably I became captain by default because nobody else wanted it.” quote by Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/740/anil-kumble-10705_because_i-became-captain-after-playing-17-years_1450520.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/740/anil-kumble-10705_because_i-became-captain-after-playing-17-years_1450520.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/740/anil-kumble-10705_because_i-became-captain-after-playing-17-years_1450520.jpg) > “I became captain after playing 17 years for India so probably I became captain by default because nobody else wanted it.” [Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leadership can arise from circumstance, not just merit, highlighting humility and the need for willing participants. **In simple terms:** Captains may be chosen by default. Key Takeaway Accept roles and lead with humility. Themes leadership humility team dynamics sports Mood encouraging pragmatic Type sports organizational When to use this quote - team meetings - coaching sessions - career transitions - mentorship programs Key Concepts default leadership motivation role acceptance Questions to Reflect On - How can you support a reluctant leader? - What strategies build confidence in unexpected roles? A Different Perspective Default leaders may lack confidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Because](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/because/) [Captain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/captain/) [Captain Default](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/captain-default-5215610/) [Captain Playing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/captain-playing-1797269/) [India](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/india/) [Nobody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nobody/) [Playing 17](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-17-237413/) [Probably Captain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/probably-captain-5215611/) [Wanted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted/) ## Related quotes > [The biggest problem is when a player asks a captain why he is not playing but does not want an honest answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ms-dhoni/the-biggest-problem-is-when-a-player-asks-a-captain-why-he-is-not/) [MS Dhoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ms-dhoni/) > [When you are playing Under-17 or U-19, the captain is of the same age as the rest of us. His knowledge was also as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhuvneshwar-kumar/when-you-are-playing-under-17-or-u-19-the-captain-is-of-the-same-age/) [Bhuvneshwar Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhuvneshwar-kumar/) > [For so long I looked so young for my age that it's been quite frustrating because in my thirties I was still playing 17-year-olds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-page/for-so-long-i-looked-so-young-for-my-age-that-it-s-been-quite/) [Joanna Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-page/) > [It's fun to play mom. Last I knew I was playing a 17-year-old who graduated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/selma-blair/it-s-fun-to-play-mom-last-i-knew-i-was-playing-a-17-year-old-who/) [Selma Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/selma-blair/) > [Our job is to find players younger, where they are able to play from 11 years old and grow up playing the game. Rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/our-job-is-to-find-players-younger-where-they-are-able-to-play-from/) [Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/) > [An Indian captain is a friend, guide, philosopher to the players under him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/an-indian-captain-is-a-friend-guide-philosopher-to-the-players-under/) [Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) > [As a coach I need to organise preparations for the team and give informed input to captain and the team to strategise better, inclusive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/as-a-coach-i-need-to-organise-preparations-for-the-team-and-give/) [Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) > [Obviously as players we want to play every game. But when you do miss out, I strongly believe the job is to not sulk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moeen-ali/obviously-as-players-we-want-to-play-every-game-but-when-you-do-miss/) [Moeen Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moeen-ali/) > [I think there will be one overarching coach for Tests and one-day cricket. I think you need one person in control and in charge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-strauss/i-think-there-will-be-one-overarching-coach-for-tests-and-one-day/) [Andrew Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-strauss/) > [My father was in the military; he was a captain. His service was to quote-unquote integrate the Armed Forces overseas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-morton/my-father-was-in-the-military-he-was-a-captain-his-service-was-to/) [Joe Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-morton/) > [“ The captain? Sophia stood staring numbly after him. Had he just said he’d introduce her to the captain? Of someone else was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/the-captain-sophia-stood-staring-numbly-after-him-had-he-just-said-he/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) > [I've definitely grown into the job after that difficult first Test against Pakistan. I'd been captain for the Sri Lanka one-dayers, which hadn't gone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-strauss/i-ve-definitely-grown-into-the-job-after-that-difficult-first-test/) [Andrew Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-strauss/) > [Jon Moxley - great performer. I'm sure he's a nice guy. But at the end of the day, I think people are sick and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-jacob-friedman/jon-moxley-great-performer-i-m-sure-he-s-a-nice-guy-but-at-the-end-of/) [Maxwell Jacob Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-jacob-friedman/) > [I think anyone who wants to go up against Captain Marvel ought to be worried.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-fleck/i-think-anyone-who-wants-to-go-up-against-captain-marvel-ought-to-be/) [Ryan Fleck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-fleck/) > [“Joe!” he groaned, attempting to speak clearly. “Joe! Good ol’ Joe!” “Captain, you’re drunk!” Lofflin said, stating the obvious while trying to keep his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-engela/joe-he-groaned-attempting-to-speak-clearly-joe-good-ol-joe-captain/) [Christina Engela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-engela/) ## More by Anil Kumble > [If it was a very senior team you can sit back and strategize. But for a young team you need be in the middle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/if-it-was-a-very-senior-team-you-can-sit-back-and-strategize-but-for/) [Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) > [I generally try to bowl one-on-one with the 'keeper and bowl all the deliveries in my arsenal so that he can have a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/i-generally-try-to-bowl-one-on-one-with-the-keeper-and-bowl-all-the/) [Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) > [Yes, you'll try and set up a batsman and get him to play a few shots. It's just that you are always trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/yes-you-ll-try-and-set-up-a-batsman-and-get-him-to-play-a-few-shots/) [Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) > [If you are the top bowler in your team, you need to get the top batsman in the opposition. So it is expected and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/if-you-are-the-top-bowler-in-your-team-you-need-to-get-the-top/) [Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) > [There were many batsmen who were very difficult to bowl at. Brian Lara was probably at the top.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/there-were-many-batsmen-who-were-very-difficult-to-bowl-at-brian-lara/) [Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) > [I feel the only way you feel the pressure is when you think it is an important match or series. If you feel that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/i-feel-the-only-way-you-feel-the-pressure-is-when-you-think-it-is-an/) [Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) > [I played a lot under John Wright, he's been a great influence on how I'll go about the job, in terms of being in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/i-played-a-lot-under-john-wright-he-s-been-a-great-influence-on-how-i/) [Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) > [You need the other team to be feeling the heat when they walk on to face you and that only comes from their being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/you-need-the-other-team-to-be-feeling-the-heat-when-they-walk-on-to/) [Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) > [At the end of the day, the bowlers have to get 20 wickets to win a Test match. I'm sure they do have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/at-the-end-of-the-day-the-bowlers-have-to-get-20-wickets-to-win-a/) [Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) > [It is true that when you're defending a target, you tend to be more ruthless when you're defending a lower target than a 300-plus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/it-is-true-that-when-you-re-defending-a-target-you-tend-to-be-more/) [Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) > [I have been a player and now I am the coach, so I understand both the roles well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/i-have-been-a-player-and-now-i-am-the-coach-so-i-understand-both-the/) [Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) > [Getting 20 wickets in test cricket will win you matches and that will be the focus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/getting-20-wickets-in-test-cricket-will-win-you-matches-and-that-will/) [Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) > [No matter where I end up in terms of wickets or the number of matches that I play, I think people will always remember…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/no-matter-where-i-end-up-in-terms-of-wickets-or-the-number-of-matches/) [Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) > [I have always felt it is better to lose in pursuit of victory than to kill a game with defensive tactics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/i-have-always-felt-it-is-better-to-lose-in-pursuit-of-victory-than-to/) [Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) > [As a coach I need to organise preparations for the team and give informed input to captain and the team to strategise better, inclusive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/as-a-coach-i-need-to-organise-preparations-for-the-team-and-give/) [Anil Kumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) [Explore all 64 Anil Kumble quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/) ## More Because quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [I gave my archive to Emory University because there's a really dear friend who teaches there, Rudolph Byrd, and he's the editor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/i-gave-my-archive-to-emory-university-because-there-s-a-really-dear/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [There were songs that we cut out after we chose the name, because 'Praise Break' turned out to be an underlying concept that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-caesar/there-were-songs-that-we-cut-out-after-we-chose-the-name-because/) [Daniel Caesar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-caesar/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [I was also known as Frodo because I was an early adopter of 'The Lord of the Rings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perrotta/i-was-also-known-as-frodo-because-i-was-an-early-adopter-of-the-lord/) [Tom Perrotta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perrotta/) > [I believe in taxation and health care that is outside the usual libertarian mandate, because I don't want people to have to suffer. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/i-believe-in-taxation-and-health-care-that-is-outside-the-usual/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [It's like saying French shouldn't be taught because you don't understand it because it's new. Shakespeare is just like learning a new, exciting language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-barnett/it-s-like-saying-french-shouldn-t-be-taught-because-you-don-t/) [Samuel Barnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-barnett/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [Sometimes, when full and in fear that I will continue to eat unwanted food just because it's staring at me, I will place my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-nichols/sometimes-when-full-and-in-fear-that-i-will-continue-to-eat-unwanted/) [Rachel Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-nichols/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [I was contacted by Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, MP, through the Pune Film Institute and offered the post in the NFDC. I accepted it for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suresh-gopi/i-was-contacted-by-rajyavardhan-singh-rathore-mp-through-the-pune/) [Suresh Gopi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suresh-gopi/) > [I have always been a big meta guy because I think the way journalism is practiced in Washington, and the way everyone sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/i-have-always-been-a-big-meta-guy-because-i-think-the-way-journalism/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [There are a lot of kids out there copying and distributing movies - not because they care about seeing the movies or sharing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/there-are-a-lot-of-kids-out-there-copying-and-distributing-movies-not/) [John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/) [Browse all 15,485 Because quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/because/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I became captain after playing 17 years for India so probably I became captain by default because nobody else wanted it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Anil Kumble" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/i-became-captain-after-playing-17-years-for-india-so-probably-i/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Because" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/i-became-captain-after-playing-17-years-for-india-so-probably-i/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/740/anil-kumble-10705_because_i-became-captain-after-playing-17-years_1450520.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/740/anil-kumble-10705_because_i-became-captain-after-playing-17-years_1450520.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/740/anil-kumble-10705_because_i-became-captain-after-playing-17-years_1450520.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I became captain after playing 17 years for India so probably I became captain by default because nobody…” — Anil Kumble", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Anil Kumble", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-kumble/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I became captain after playing 17...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/i-became-captain-after-playing-17-years-for-india-so-probably-i/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-kumble/i-became-captain-after-playing-17-years-for-india-so-probably-i/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```