Anil Kumble, who has delivered outstanding results as the Head Coach of the Indian team for the last one year, has chosen to part ways from the national team, but not in circumstances that he would have wished for though.
All along, from the time the 46-year-old took over the mantle in July 2016 with his first assignment in the West Indies until the long home international season that culminated with the Test series against Australia, the cricketing fraternity felt that the Virat Kohli – Kumble combination worked wonders for Indian cricket. It was also believed that the captain and the coach enjoyed a terrific rapport, which was not the case as it turned out to be.
READ: Kumble stumped by Kohli's 'reservations'
Kumble was in for a shock when news broke out before the start of the ICC Champions Trophy that Kohli was gunning for his ouster as Head Coach, citing reservations about his style of functioning to BCCI officials and then to the Chairman of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators, Vinod Rai, at a meeting in Hyderabad.
Although he denied any rift between him and Kumble at a press conference at Birmingham, the BCCI officials knew that the situation had gone beyond rapprochement and that Kohli had indeed asked for a change of Head Coach, first recommending the name of Virender Sehwag.
The BCCI officials may have believed that something could be salvaged after a meeting with Kohli and Kumble at London on Monday evening, but sources said Kohli only reiterated his position vis-à-vis Kumble. It was after this meeting that Kumble, although he had applied afresh for the post of Head Coach, decided to step back.
"I was informed for the first time yesterday by the BCCI that the Captain had reservations with my 'style' and about my continuing as the Head Coach. 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," Kumble said in a statement on Tuesday night
The Cricket Advisory Committee, consisting of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and V. V. S. Laxman, had recommended the renewal of his coaching contract with the Indian team till the 2019 World Cup.
The BCCI confirmed the development earlier on Tuesday saying: "Mr. Anil Kumble has withdrawn his services as the post of the Head Coach for the Senior India Men’s team. While the Cricket Advisory Committee had endorsed an extension to his tenure as Head Coach, Mr. Anil Kumble has decided not to continue as the coach.’’
Amitabh Choudhary, acting secretary of the BCCI, said, “We wish to place on record our sincere appreciation for the immense contribution by Anil Kumble to the team which enabled India to attain the No.1 Test position. Indian cricket needs his continued contribution in various capacities and wishes him all the best in his future endeavour.”
Dr. M. V. Sridhar has been deputed by the board to serve as a supervisor for the tour of the Caribbean. Sanjay Bangar and R. Sridhar will continue as batting and fielding coaches respectively.
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