Good idea to hand over Royal Challengers captaincy to Kumble: Kallis

Jacques Kallis, who was initially the favourite to lead the Bangalore Royal Challengers after Kevin Pietersen's departure, said appointing Anil Kumble as the team's skipper was a very good decision.

Kallis was to succeed Pietersen after his departure to England for national duty but Kumble was finally chosen for the job.

Kallis said he has no issues with the decision since captaincy would have been a burden on him as he is already saddled by bowling and batting responsibilities.

"I think it was going to be tough for me to take the captaincy being an all-rounder, especially after opening the batting, opening the bowling, and worrying about the fielding," said Kallis.

"To have the added burden of captaincy as well would have been hard on me. I don't think it would have been fair on me or the team," he said.

Royal Challengers Bangalore flourished under Kumble and Kallis said it was a good idea to hand him the captaincy.

"For Kumble it was a lot easier to lead the team as a bowler. He had an added advantage of being an Indian. He knows most of the players well and that makes his job easier. I think right choice was made. I was totally happy with that," Kallis told IPL's official website.