When a few days ago, BCCI issued an advertisement regarding inviting applications for the post of Head Coach of Indian cricket team, it left everyone stunned as by no means Kumble can be removed from the post looking at his performance since the day he has taken over the post. India has won each and every series since he has taken over, barring one T20I series played in the USA in which one of the two games was washed out.
But with each passing day, the mystery and the hidden facts behind this move of BCCI are coming up openly as it has been reported that India skipper Virat Kohli is unhappy with Anil Kumble, due to his extra say in selection matters and to add to it, it further disappointed the Indian skipper when he proposed an increase in his pay and also an extra pay for the skipper. Reports suggest that Kumble proposed an extra pay for Kohli to strengthen his case in front of COA,
“Never would Virat Kohli be on the same page on the captain getting paid extra for discharging the captain’s responsibility. In fact, I have personally had a word with him once or twice and he has always said that every player’s interest should be taken care of, but especially those who play just one format should be a priority.
“Actually Kumble wants to tag a few people just to strengthen his case. But his demand that the skipper is paid extra is mind-boggling,” a BCCI official told Cricketnext.
Apart from this, there was a rift between skipper and coach regarding the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav for the Ranchi Test, a pitch which was in all awe of spinners. Kumble wanted the Chinaman bowler to play at Ranchi whereas Kohli did not want him. The Indian skipper injured his shoulder during the game and missed the fourth Test at Dharamsala, where Ajinkya Rahane made his captaincy debut. In this very game, Kuldeep made his debut in absence of Kohli, which was a glaring fact in this matter. It was one of another situation where there was a conflict of interests between the two veterans.
Kuldeep’s inclusion as a backup player for Champions Trophy is been seen as a move by Anil Kumble as from the past one year, Kuldeep has done well. However, Amit Mishra is a regular member of the team and was also Man of the Series in the last against New Zealand, which he played last year.
BCCI is keen to appoint a new coach, which can be understood by the fact that it was the board that asked Virender Sehwag to apply for the post of Head Coach for the team and surely this time we can expect a new name as the coach of Indian cricket team, going by what is going in the dressing room.