Ian Chappell backs Kohli in coaches’ row AUSTRALIAN LEGEND PLAYS DOWN THE ROLE OF COACH IN ANY TEAM
ustralian legend Ian Chappell has backed India skipper Virat Kohli in the controversy that erupted after his fallout with former coach Anil Kumble, saying “if a coach is to be inflicted on a captain”, it should be someone with whom he is comfortable.
In his column for ESPNCricinfo, Chappell played down the role of a coach in any team. “Kohli didn’t have the same harmonious relationship with Anil Kumble that he enjoyed with Ravi Shastri when he was cricket director. The fact that India have now reverted to Shastri as coach prompts the question: ‘Why change something that isn’t broken?’,” he asked.
“If a coach is to be inflicted on a captain then at least it should be someone with whom he’s comfortable,” he added.
Kumble resigned from the position after the Champions Trophy last month and admitted that his relationship with Kohli had become “untenable”. Kohli, on his part, has not yet given any comment on the rift.
India’s top batsmen, including Kohli, meanwhile got plenty of time in the middle as the visitors scored 312-9 on the second and final day of their warm-up tie against Sri Lanka Board’s President XI which ended in a draw in Colombo.
Middle order thrives
Resuming at 135-3, overnight batsman Kohli slammed a fifty, while the rest of the middleorder — Ajinkya Rahane (40), Rohit Sharma (38), Shikhar Dhawan (41) looked in fine nick before retiring.
Overnight batsmen Kohli and Rahane batted for just eight overs in the morning before retiring to give other a shot at some practice. Kohli struck eight fours in his 78ball stay in the middle, while Rahane hit three in his 58-ball stay. Rohit and Shikhar then forged an 80-run partnership in 16 overs before retiring. It was a good outing for Rohit, who was rested after the Champions trophy, as the Mumbaikar scored at a brisk pace and his 49-ball innings had a four and two sixes. Shikhar, who is also competing for the opening slot, was fluent as he blasted seven boundaries in his 48-ball innings today.
Wicketkeeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha (36 not out) and all-rounder Hardik Pandya (13) then took the crease after the 54th over but three overs later, the latter was dismissed by T Kaushal with Kithuruwan Vithanage taking the catch. Pandya was the fourth Indian batsman to be dismissed.
Ravindra Jadeja scored 18 with two fours before being stumped by Weerakkody off Kaushal’s bowling to become only the second batsman to be dismissed yesterday. Saha’s 40-ball innings included two fours.
Kaushal ended the day with figures of 14-0-81-2. Vishwa Fernando (2/37) and Vikum Sanjaya (1/64) were the other wicket-takers for the home side.
Earlier, Indian spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja ran through the opposition before opener Lokesh Rahul made a solid return from injury with a fifty.