"We are focusing at changing the mindset of batsmen in terms of coming from shorter format into a longer format and the batting time as it is important to bat for a longer duration," said Kumble, who played 132 Test matches, in his career.
Indian cricketers played for about two months in the IPL before embarking on a short tour to Zimbabwe where they played ODIs and T20s.
"In the bowling department, we will be focusing of consistent lengths and being boring. That's what we need to do when playing Test cricket. The emphasis will also be on the catching as they are important to win the games," said Kumble, while responding to queries from fans during an Q/A session on twitter.
Kumble said both spinners and pacers will have to bowl in tandem on the slower West Indies wickets.
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"I believe that bowlers also bowl in partnerships like batsmen play in partnership. Spinners and fast bowlers will have an equal role. The wickets have so far been on the slower side but I don't know what kind of wickets will be in the four Test matches. Indian spinner will have an important role to play for us to win the series," he said.
"In Test cricket all three departments will be tested that's why it is called test of character of all the three departments, so focus is on all three," said India's highest wicket-taker.
"What is also important is rest period or the recovery period. Other than the three departments we are also concentrating on the fitness and the recovery period."
Responding to a query on grooming Ashwin as an all-rounder as a solution to India's balance overseas, Kumble said, "Ashwin is an extremely capable batsman and we are also blessed with some of the other lower-middle order batsmen who are extremely capable. The focus is not just on the bowlers bowling but also on the bowlers batting."
How does coach Kumble look at the long home season ahead?
"The immediate task on hand is the focus but we are also keeping in mind the long season ahead. 13 Tests in less than six months is not easy on the players, their workloads. We will keep track of that during preparations.
"You would notice as the series goes along, there will will be less time spent in between matches on the cricket field. So whatever we need to address, we will only address those isses. This is like the second summer in India, just before the winter sets in. We are looking at six months but from a team's perspective, we are focussing on this match for now," he said.
"It is quite challenging for the modern day cricketer to keep changing formats. Invariably, when you are playing in the shorter format, the game is always in favour of the batsmen. When it comes to Tests, irrespective of the condtions, we have seen modern day cricketers struggle after doing well initially.
"For example, they were good players of seam bowling in the previous year but they struggled on a seaming track (the following season) because of what the modern day batsman encounters.
The Kanpur Test will be India's 500th Test in the format. Kumble said it was a great milestone.
"For me, part of the Indian team was special and a great honour. Starting from 1932 till today, there have been great players who have contributed this great legacy of 499 Tests. Each of them has looked to raise the bar and this team is no different. All of us should celebrate this milestone and recollect the memories provided by the former players.