Just a day after the final of the ICC Champions Trophy, news came that by no means Kohli wants Anil Kumble to be the Head Coach of the Indian cricket team, as he had reservations about his coaching style. Kohli had already delivered this message to Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) and hence, the committee didn’t even meet Anil Kumble, a source had revealed earlier. (Read More: No Way Virat Kohli Wants Anil Kumble As Head Coach)
It is to be noted that Anil Kumble too, in his Thank You letter had mentioned that captain had reservations with him. So it is clear that Kumble knew about the meet which Kohli had with Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, and after that, CAC didn’t meet Kumble. Hence, the Indian legend decided to quit on his own – despite being given an extension by BCCI for the tour to West Indies,
“The CAC gave a patient hearing to Virat (Kohli) and concluded that since the problems weren’t substantial, and the team’s performance was good, there was no reason to remove Kumble. It didn’t even meet Kumble to ask him his side of the story because it felt he had done a good job since being appointed by the CAC a year ago. The CAC’s stand perhaps made Virat desperate, and he then sought a meeting with the BCCI officials after the CT final in London last Monday,” a source told TOI.
“In the 45-minute meeting, Kohli did most of the talking, making it clear that he had reservations about both Kumble’s style of functioning and him continuing as head coach. It was nothing but pure humiliation for a man of his stature, and it wasn’t surprising that he didn’t even choose to serve out his ‘notice period’ and accompany the team to the West Indies for a short, limited overs tour. It’s clear that a few officials wanted Kumble to exit the scene,” the source added.
BCCI came to know about the untenable relation between Kumble and Kohli before the start of the ICC Champions Trophy and the board did best to hide this from the public and media. As per a report in NBT during the Champions Trophy, media persons were not allowed to the Indian training camp and the only time they watched the practice session was when the defending champions had an indoor session.
In that televised session, Kumble was seen throwing sidearms towards Kohli which the whole world saw live on television. Through this, the board wanted to show that everything is well in the Indian camp. Though, Kumble didn’t even address even one press conference during the ICC tournament.
As soon as the Champions Trophy concluded, Anil Kumble bid adieu to the job of Head Coach of Indian cricket team, skipping West Indies tour as well, where the Indian team has landed sans any Head Coach. (Read More: BCCI Retains Sanjay Bangar and R Sridhar For West Indies Series)
BCCI has again invited applications for the post of Head Coach of Indian cricket team and the last day to apply for the job is July 9. The new Head Coach will travel to Sri Lanka with team India, which will be his first assignment with the Men in Blue.