Kumble, however, refused to be drawn into the debate of when Tendulkar should retire and said the decision should be best left for the veteran batsman.
"I can't think of Indian cricket without Tendulkar and I want him to continue," Kumble said when asked about Tendulkar telling a television channel that he will re-assess his future next month as at 39 he does not have much cricket left in him.
"It's a privilege to have shared Indian team dressing room for 13 years with Tendulkar. Eventually, he will have to take the call (for retirement). But this question of when to retire should be best left to him only," added Kumble after launching his sports academy TENVIC at a city school.
Kumble said it's hard for any sportsperson to call it quits after playing for a long time at the highest level.
"For any sportsperson it is a tough decision and it is for the individual to take the call. Tendulkar will also eventually have to take the call," said the former leg-spinner.
