Kumble showing interest good news
Found repeatedly flouting even the spirit of the rules, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had argued through anonymous officials that its seeking applications for prospective India coaches is only in keeping with the letter of the law; even if that went against the dictum ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’
After the controversy for a fortnight over reports coach Anil Kumble has become unpopular with skipper Virat Kohli and other players and hence is unlikely to stay on despite his success in the first year, it now emerges he has applied for the job despite being a direct entry and has also given a roadmap -- read plan to win overseas Test series.
The BCCI is yet to make any announcement, but Kumble’s fresh application for a job none thought would open up anytime soon is no doubt a big counter to anonymous BCCI officials seeking to paint an ugly picture of the former India skipper.
KOHLI BLAMES MEDIA
Virat Kohli squarely blaming the media on Saturday for reporting without knowing the facts to magnify the differences suggested the issue was being blown out of proportion.
And it is unlikely Kumble would have applied if he felt he didn’t stand a chance of being retained in the post when his tenure ends on June 18, with the Champions Trophy final.
The Cricket Advisory Committee comprising former teammates Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman that selected him last year can’t have issues with India’s most successful Test bowler as far as results are concerned.
There are six other applicants, with Virender Sehwag seen as the leading candidate if Kumble’s continuation was considered untenable.
DEEP CONNECTION
But what on the surface looked like impudence in his sending a two-line application to BCCI could well be a message he won’t do anything to hurt Kumble. After all, their connection runs deep.
It was Kumble as skipper who took the initiative amid the tumultuous Australia tour of 2007-8 to recall Sehwag after a year out, reigniting his Test career.
Sehwag the bowler shone on comeback in the famous Perth win, then hit 151 in the Adelaide draw before smashing an Indian record 319 in the Chennai Test against South Africa. He was back.
With only Tom Moody, the former Sri Lanka coach who guides Hyderabad Sunrisers, and fellow Aussie Craig McDermott the other credible candidates, the CAC will have a tough decision to make if Kumble ‘can’t’ be given an extension.
And though the current ‘row’ has been compared to Ganguly’s bitter differences with Greg Chappell over a decade ago, it is unlikely the former skipper or Tendulkar would want to put all eggs in one basket -- hand over the reins to the captain that removing Kumble would effectively mean.
THERE ARE SIX OTHER APPLICANTS, WITH SEHWAG SEEN AS THE LEADING CANDIDATE IF KUMBLE CONTINUIING IS SEEN AS UNTENABLE.