The former Australian skipper Michael Clarke has commented on the alleged row between Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Head Coach of Indian team Anil Kumble, and has said that there are bound to be disagreements between the two persons when there are higher challenges,
“Great relationships have greater challenges. Any relationship in this world needs openness and honesty. It’s no different in cricket teams where there is a captain and coach. You need to be honest,” Clarke said when asked about the alleged rift between Kohli and Kumble. There are bound to be disagreements but that can be sorted in closed environments. In any great relationship, you get challenged,” Clarke said.
When asked upon a comment regarding who is at fault in the saga, Clarke played is safely and decided to prevent himself to comment as he said that he can’t comment on the matter without being part of the dressing room,
“I know Anil Kumble, who is a wonderful person. A coach’s job is to complement the captain sitting inside the change room. I can’t assume what went wrong (if at all) as I am not a part of that change room,” he said.
Clarke though further batted for Virat Kohli and said that it is it the captain who is ultimately responsible for the result, which puts pressure on the skipper to produce the result for the team,
“In the end, it’s a result-oriented game, where a captain will be judged on the basis of wins and losses. But let me make it clear, in crunch situations, it is the captain, who is going to be accountable. It will be Virat, who will be leading the team inside the field. He will have to put his hand up in pressure situations.”
The news of an alleged rift between the two came out when BCCI invited applications for the post of Head Coach of the Indian cricket team. As per the reports, the conflict between the two emerged right from the first tour when India toured West Indies, where Kohli dropped Cheteshwar Pujara for one game, which did not come good with Anil Kumble. The tussle continued between two during the home season which resulted in the role of team manager been minimised to a mute spectator.
The conflict again arose when Anil Kumble wanted Kuldeep Yadav to play in Ranchi Test against Australia but Kohli did not play him. However, just as Kohli was injured and ruled out for the next Test, Kuldeep made his Test debut under Ajinkya Rahane. This added to the difference between the two. Though Indian skipper Virat Kohli has rubbished reports of any rift with Kumble, on being asked about it ahead of the Champions Trophy game against Pakistan.
In the latest news, BCCI has asked both of them to bury the hatchet and move ahead. Kumble has further been retained as Head Coach of the side for India tour of West Indies as well.