Virat Kohli Declines To Reveal His Side Of The Story, Says Will Maintain Dressing-Room Sanctity
Jun 22, 2017 at 8:48 PM
The Anil Kumble-Virat Kohli saga, it seems, will keep people guessing for quite some time now as India skipper Virat Kohli, in his first press conference since Kumble’s departure, chose to offer a dead bat to the questions regarding the rift between him and the outgoing coach.
The build-up of the just-concluded ICC Champions Trophy was marred with reports of a rift between Kohli and Kumble. However, Kohli managed to shift the focus towards the tournament by stating that there were plenty of speculations going around and they were by people who were not even part of the dressing room.
Moreover, India’s performance in the tournament also kept the matter in the background. However, just a couple of days after India’s campaign ended with a defeat against Pakistan in the final, Kumble opened the Pandora’s box.
The former India skipper not only stepped down as the coach of the team but also stated the reason behind his sudden decision. The legendary spinner revealed that Kohli had reservations over his ‘style’ of coaching, making it crystal-clear that the reports of the rift were true.
Kumble’s statement had caused quite a stir in Indian cricket and everybody was waiting for Kohli to come out with his side of the story. However, the India skipper has decided to keep the matters under cover. Speaking ahead of the series opener against West Indies, Kohli, while saying that the team totally respects Kumble, insisted that what happens in the change-room, stays private.
“Obviously Anil bhai has expressed his views and he’s taken the decision to step out and we will respect that decision. It’s something that has happened right after the tournament. One thing for sure is that I’ve had 11 press conferences that have happened during the Champions Trophy. We have created a culture over the last 3-4 years that whatever happens in the change room, we’ve tried to maintain the sanctity of the change room throughout,” he said when asked whether the whole situation could have been handled better.
That is what the whole team believes in. For us that is paramount. I’ve always respected that and we have continued to maintain that as well. As I said, it’s his opinion which I respect. I have total respect for him as a cricketer and what he’s achieved as a nation. All the years that he’s played. That’s no taking away that aspect of him at all. And we all respect him totally,” he added.