India Team Manager Submits His Report On Kumble-Kohli Tussle
Jan 9, 2019 at 4:07 PM
Virat Kohli has been given a clean chit in team manager Kapil Malhotra’s report on the tussle with Anil Kumble during the long home season comprising of 13 Test matches. BCCI asked for a report from the team manager after Anil Kumble stepped down from the post of Head Coach of Indian cricket team – citing untenable relation with the skipper. BCCI was quick to ask for a report from Malhotra so as to investigate the matter. However, nothing has been said about Kohli in the report,
“Kapil Malhotra has submitted his report. At least there is nothing in the report which suggests that skipper Virat Kohli was ever rude to the coach or mention of any incident which could be termed as a breach of discipline,” a BCCI source said.
As per the reports which came out earlier, the tussle between coach and captain started right for the first tour when Kumble took over the reins. The former Indian skipper wanted to give Cheteshwar Pujara a longer rope in the Test series against West Indies whereas Kohli wanted to drop the number three batsman. The differences again came into existence when Kumble wanted Virat to play Kuldeep Yadav on a spin friendly pitch against Australia at Ranchi, a demand which was not fulfilled. The differences widened when Kuldeep made his debut in next Test match at Dharamsala where Kohli sat out due to a shoulder injury. (Read Here: BCCI Seeks Report From Team Manager)
A two-month break during IPL so no communication between the two but as soon as the T20 league ended, the news of tussle came out on the day when BCCI invited applications for the post of Head Coach of Indian cricket team. To prevent any leak of news during the Champions Trophy, BCCI didn’t allow entry of media in team India practice sessions and only one of the sessions was telecasted where Kumble sent down Kohli eight side arm throwdowns.
It was just a matter of time as a day after the loss against Pakistan in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy, Kumble resigned and put reality in front of the world by putting a stamp on the rumour that he had issues with Virat Kohli. Though the Indian skipper did not say anything about Kumble regarding the matter. (Read Here: CAC Didn’t Meet Anil Kumble Before His Exit)
Indian team is without a Head Coach at the moment and the new coach will be announced before the start of the full-fledged series against Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, this will be Malhotra’s last stint with Indian team as just like coaches; COA has asked BCCI to appoint a team manager for a fixed time period on a contract basis.
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