Kumble, despite his exit, seen as a triumph for player power

NEW DELHI: Anil Kumble’s departure as head coach despite a successful year at the helm will be regarded as a triumph for player power in Indian cricket, according to several former captains.

The country’s board took a gamble last June when they put their trust in former captain Kumble, who had no real coaching experience and was not even on the original list of candidates.

The former spinner, however, forged a productive partnership with skipper Virat Kohli as India recorded 12 victories in 17 Test matches and reached the final of the Champions Trophy.

But the cracks that were forming beneath the surface of their seemingly harmonious association were becoming more visible as his tenure progressed.

Kumble, whose original contract expired at the end of the Champions Trophy, but was extended to oversee the team’s tour of West Indies this month, stepped down, citing a breakdown in relations with his skipper.

“… it was apparent that the partnership was untenable and I therefore believe it is best for me to move on,” the 46-year-old Kumble wrote in a Twitter message. “I see the coach’s role akin to ‘holding a mirror’ to drive self-improvement in the team’s interest.”

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar was critical of the circumstances that led to Kumble’s demise.

“So you want softies. You want somebody to just tell you, ‘ok boys, don’t practice today because you guys are not feeling well, ok take a holiday, go shopping’. You want that kind of a person,” said Gavaskar. “This is sending a signal for the next coach – either bow down to what the players want you to do, otherwise you, like one of India’s cricket legends Anil Kumble, will have to step down.” – Reuters