Port of Spain: Opening up for the first time, Virat Kohli said that he will never reveal dressing-room details, in an apparent reference to the now retired coach Anil Kumble’s statement that their partnership had become “untenable”. Kumble stepped down a couple of days back due to differences with the India captain.
Kohli said “he respects” Kumble’s decision to quit and that there is highest regard for him as a player. “Obviously Anil bhai has expressed his views and he has taken a decision to step out and we will respect that decision,” Kohli said on the eve of the first ODI against the West Indies.
The skipper spoke about how dressing room details are sacred to him. “One thing for sure is that I have had 11 press conferences that have happened during the Champions Trophy. We have created a culture over the last 3-4 years that whatever happens in the change room, we have tried to maintain the sanctity of the change room throughout. That is what the whole team believes in. For us that is paramount,” Kohli stated.
Kohli said that he and his players respect Kumble’s achievements as a player. “I have total respect for him as a cricketer and what he has achieved for the nation. All the years that he has played. There’s no taking away that aspect of him at all. And we all respect him totally,” he said.
