Centurion, May 21: Jacques Kallis, who was tipped to lead the Royal Challengers Bangalore after Kevin Pietersen’s departure, said appointing Anil Kumble as the team’s skipper was a very good decision.

Kallis said he has no issues with the decision since captaincy would have been an additional burden for him.

"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.

The Royal Challengers have flourished under Kumble. "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 the IPL’s official website.

The all-rounder, who has been doing well with both bat and ball, said he was happy to contribute to the team’s cause.

"I would rather have it that way than not to contribute to my team. I have enjoyed opening the batting and the bowling. I am happy to be doing well this season. I did not have a successful tournament last year, so it feels good," he said.

Kallis also felt it was a challenge opening the batting since he normally comes one down.

"It is slightly different in the sense that in T20 we have got to be a little more aggressive. In our conditions, the ball does a little and it nips around. So you have got to be little bit careful there," he said.

— PTI