Kumble at Virat reception: Sign of burying hatchet?
MUMBAI: It seems former India coach Anil Kumble and India captain Virat Kohli have buried the hatchet, almost six months after a fallout led to the former stepping down from his post. Kumble quit abruptly after the ICC Champions Trophy in June citing ‘untenable’ differences with Kohli.
However, in the first sign that the relationship was on the mend, Kumble attended the Indian captain’s wedding reception in Mumbai on Tuesday night. Kumble was accompanied by his wife Chethana.
Appointed by the BCCI cricket advisory committee comprising former skipper Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar, Kumble seemed to be doing well in his role as India won home Test series against England, New Zealand and Australia.
Then came reports that Kohli and some other senior players were not happy with Kumble’s style of functioning and instead wanted former India all-rounder Ravi Shastri to return.
Though Kohli initially denied the tiff with the coach, it finally came into the open after the ICC Champions Trophy in England, while a fresh process by the BCCI for finding a coach was on with Kumble also in the race.
The Indian team was scheduled to tour the West Indies after the tournament and it was expected Kumble would remain with the team. But Kumble chose to stay back to attend the ICC cricket committee meeting in London while the team flew out of Heathrow to the Caribbean Islands. After BCCI confirmed that Kumble had resigned, the former leg-spinner posted scathing comments on his social media account. He said he left the job due to differences with Kohli.
“I was surprised since I had always respected the role boundaries between captain and coach. Though the BCCI attempted to resolve the misunderstandings between the captain and me, it was apparent that the partnership was untenable and I, therefore, believe it is best for me to move on,” he wrote. “In the light of these reservations, I believe it is best I hand over this responsibility to whomever the CAC and BCCI deem fit,” he further said.
Neither Kumble nor Virat Kohli have since commented on the issues that led to a breakdown in their relationship. Kohli got his wish as Shastri was appointed the head coach.