Anil Kumble steps down.
Indian cricket legend Anil Kumble has decided to step down from the post of Chief Coach of the team. Kumble took over as the Indian coach in June last year and under his regime, India performed impressively in both test and ODI format. However, with reports of a rift with captain Virat Kohli out in the public, Kumble's ouster looked inevitable.
Anil Kumble conveyed the decision to BCCI that he can't continue as the BCCI coach after a meeting with BCCI general secretary Amitabh Chaudhary. Today was last day of Kumble's contract and he was asked to continue for the West Indies tour before the Cricket Advisory Committee picks the next coach. Kumble too was in fray for getting an extension, but with him putting in his papers, he will no longer remain in contention.
Kumble maintained all through that 'there is no problem between him and Virat Kohli, whatsoever. It was only after discussion of inputs from Virat Kohli's side that were put before Kumble that he finally accepted and apparently told BCCI secretary that 'he can't continue from now onwards'. DNA has learnt that team India which has already reached West Indies will be without any chief coach for the next 20 days.
In a signal of things to come, Kumble hadn’t travelled with the Indian team to West Indies. It was stated that he was going for an ICC meeting in London.
Just before the start of the Champions Trophy, several stories of Kohli and Kumble falling out came in the press. According to a DNA report, as many as 10 players are against Kumble continuing as the coach of the Indian team. Kumble's tenure was till Champions Trophy and he has been given an extension for the West Indies tour before the Cricket Advisory Committee decides on the name for the next Indian coach. The Indian team after an impressive start slumped to a massive loss against arch-rival Pakistan in the final.
"Yes, chief coach Anil Kumble is staying back for the ICC Meeting. The team is flying off to Barbados today," a team source confirmed the development without commenting whether he will join the team at all.
It is being widely perceived in the BCCI that in the meeting between Kohli and Cricket Advisory Committee, comprising -- Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman -- the skipper made it clear that his relationship with the coach has reached a dead end.
BCCI CEO Rahul Johri was not available for comment. Another BCCI official commented that these are not great signs. "Funny, the ICC Meeting dates are known for months and so is the West Indies itinerary. You mean Anil didn't know he had to choose between ICC Meeting and the West Indies tour. May be he is finding it too difficult to continue," the official told PTI.
During the entire Champions Trophy, there was hardly any communication between the two during the practice session with chief coach mostly keeping to himself or giving some practice to the bowlers.
With inputs from agencies
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