Indian coach Anil Kumble has stepped down from his position after being informed by the BCCI that Captain Virat Kohli was unhappy with his functioning. Reports of the misunderstandings between them came forward first on May 30th. Although Kumble was given the option to travel with the team to the West Indies for the five ODIs and a solitary T20, he decided that a rift between Captain and Coach was reason enough to step down.
Ahead of the Champions trophy, both kohli and acting secretary of BCCI, Amitabh Chaudhary, dismissed rumors pertaining to the feud; Kohli going as far as to take a swipe at the media. A day before the Final between Pakistan and India Kohli allegedly expressed his “strong reservations” about Kumble when meeting the Cricket Advisory Committee.
A mere two days after India’s embarrassing loss to Pakistan in the final, Anil Kumble stepped down as coach, posting an emotional letter to the fans and highlighting the reason as being the Captain’s reservations regarding his style. He also put forward his surprise at this statement as he “had always respected the role boundaries between Captain and Coach”. Due to the “untenable” partnership between Coach and Captain, Kumble thought it was best rto withdraw from the Head Coach position.
Kumble posted a very emotional address to the fans on Twitter with a caption of gratitude towards the support he had garnered.
Thank you! pic.twitter.com/eF5qVzdBRj
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) June 20, 2017
Unhappy with the loss of a favorite, the Indian public took to twitter to express their sympathy for Kumble.
We Love And Support You Anil Kumble. Most Humble Cricketer And A True Fighter. Sad To See Him Go Like This.
Miss You #AnilKumble. ??#Kohli pic.twitter.com/zpmDZWWXqA
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) June 20, 2017
Watching Anil Kumble lonely and forlorn in the dressing room makes me more sad than a loss against Pakistan.
— cricBC (@cricBC) June 20, 2017
This Anil Kumble episode is sad, no?
When he was captain, he was pretty much a combination of the passion of Kohli and the calmness of Dhoni— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) June 20, 2017
Anil Kumble sir @anilkumble1074 wish you best. This team does not deserve a gentleman like you. Sad day for Indian cricket. https://t.co/PhSyafJV59
— Anuj Singhal (@_anujsinghal) June 20, 2017
FULL STATEMENT:
“I am honoured by the confidence reposed in me by the CAC, in asking me to continue as Head Coach. The credit for the achievements of the last one year goes to the Captain, the entire team, coaching and support staff.
Post this intimation, 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 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.
Professionalism, discipline, commitment, honesty, complementary skills and diverse views are the key traits I bring to the table. These need to be valued for the partnership to be effective. I see the Coach’s role akin to ‘holding a mirror’ to drive self-improvement in the team’s interest.
In light of these ‘reservations’, I believe it is best I hand over this responsibility to whomever the CAC and BCCI deem fit.
Let me reiterate that it has been an absolute privilege to have served as Head Coach for the last one year. I thank the CAC, BCCI, CoA and all concerned.
I also wish to thank the innumerable followers of Indian cricket for their continued support. I will remain a well-wisher of the great cricketing tradition of my country forever. ”
India are now in West Indies, without a coach, to play five ODIs and a single T20 before tours in Sri Lanka and South Africa.
