Former Indian skipper Anil Kumble was appointed as the head coach of the national team in June 2016 and he served for a year after an interview which was taken by former big names of Indian cricket. However, it was just after a year that Kumble stepped down from the position after the final of the Champions Trophy in 2017, the reports of differences with captain Virat Kohli even though BCCI gave him an extension.
Kumble’s resignation ignited huge amount of criticism from fans who were clearly polarised over supporting Kumble and Kohli. Kumble was replaced by current coach Ravi Shastri though that episode also had its sour moments since Shastri failed to become the Indian coach when Kumble was preferred in 2016.
Another former cricketer VVS Laxman, who is a part of the three-member Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) which appointed the head coach on both the occasions, has thrown more light on the matter recently. He said nobody sacked Kumble but the latter himself resigned under compelling circumstances. He said Kohli had an issue as far as Kumble’s working style was concerned. Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly served as the other two members of the committee.
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During a recent chat with the Sportstar, during a discussion titled ‘The Sublime Cricketer’ at the Hindu Lit for Life fest 2019 in Chennai, Laxman said, “No one sacked Kumble. There was an issue as far as Kohli was concerned. He wasn’t comfortable with Kumble’s style. The BCCI called the CAC to sort it out. We felt Anil did a fantastic job but the circumstances led him to resign. If I was in his position, I’d have done the same.”
Laxman clarified that the CAC had clarified its stand on the matter by conveying to the BCCI that Kumble was a man fit to take India forward. He also said that after Kumble’s resignation, Shastri was considered to be the best option and that it was not about Kohli’s preference.
Describing the same, Laxman clarified, “Anil is a legend of the game. His contributions to Indian cricket are immense. So the bad press he got during the Champions Trophy was uncalled for. He didn’t deserve it.”
