How Virat Kohli got Anil Kumble removed as India coach, reveals leaked email

The controvesial episode of Anil Kumble's exit as India's cricket coach has returned in limelight after a report quoting a leaked email between two top BCCI officials was published on Wednesday.

According to a report by news agency AFP, the email suggested captain Virat Kohli played a significant role in Kumble's ouster and "frequently" worked behind the scenes against him. The email also suggested that Kohli frequently sent messages to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri.

Kumble resigned in June 2017 despite being part of a team that has lost just one out in 17 tests during his tenure. He said his relationship with the skipper was "untenable". 

"[The] captain had reservations with my 'style' and about my continuing as the head coach," Kumble said. "The partnership was untenable."

However, BCCI has denied any division in the Indian camp at that time. 

However, the AFP report quotes an email between Committee of Administrators (CoA) member Diana Edulji and CoA chief Vinod Rai where she says "Virat Kohli frequently sent SMSs to the CEO on which you acted and there was a change in the coach".

"Mr Kumble a legend in his own right was subjected to loss of face and made to look like a villain," added senior administrator Diana Edulji. "He was gracious enough to move on for which I respect him. There also, rules were broken and I had raised objections back then."

She also pointed out how rules were bent to help Ravi Shastri become the new coach.

"There also I had objected and my dissent is recorded when the timelines were extended for someone to apply as he (Ravi Shastri) didn't apply in time."

Edulji's email originated from a separate controversy in the women's national team, where former coach Ramesh Powar fell out with one-day captain Mithali Raj.