He is doing what he wants: Bishan Bedi slams Virat Kohli over Anil Kumble's ouster

New Delhi: During India’s pre-departure presser ahead of the Australia tour, Virat Kohli labelled the growing perception of the head coach being a yes man to the captain as bizarre.

"That is the most bizarre thing I have heard. In Indian cricket, I don't think there is anyone else who has said no to me more than him (Shastri) honestly. He is one guy I can speak to and can get an honest opinion. I have made more changes to my game listening to him than anyone else in the past," said the India skipper.

But before Ravi Shastri took over the reigns, the flamboyant right-hander was involved in an ugly spat with former coach Anil Kumble, that led to the resignation of the latter.

That raised questions over the serious power and influence of Kohli on the decisions of the team management. While Kumble’s rancorous ouster till today continues to be a hot topic of debate, former spin great Bishan Singh Bedi has slammed the Delhi batsman for dictating things in his own way.

"That is what I am saying, one person (Virat Kohli) is doing all he wants and we are letting it happen. What would Anil (Kumble) have said, he was gracious to leave it like that," Bishan Singh Bedi was quoted as saying at Sahitya Aaj Tak.

Reflecting on India’s chances to win their first Test series in Australia, Bedi said that the team was reliant on Kohli and called for team performance Down Under.

"The Indian team is good, we all know that but the same team went to England and South Africa and those teams were also 'weak'. Yes, the bans have happened on two kids [Steve Smith and David Warner] but a team is not made of two individuals. In fact, our team is made of one person, everything is about Kohli. The amount of focus there is, you don't realise how much pressure you are putting on that kid [Kohli], both as a batsman and a captain," Bedi added.