Did Anil Kumble give Virat Kohli and Co a dressing down after Champions Trophy final?
Mumbai: Anil Kumble’s heated discussion with players after the humiliating 180-run loss at the hands of arch-rivals Pakistan in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final, earlier this month, may have been the last nail in the coffin for the India coach’s job.
Reports of a rift between head coach Kumble and captain Virat Kohli (along with certain other players) had flooded the media, ahead of the Champions Trophy. What made the situation even more tense was the fact that Kumble’s contract as the national team head coach had come to an end with the completion of the Champions Trophy.
While he had reportedly been given an extension till the end of India’s tour of West Indies, Kumble decided to bow out with dignity.
“I am honoured by the confidence reposed in me by the Cricket Advisory Committee (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,” he had said in a statement.
He further stated, “Post this intimation, I was informed for the first time yesterday by the BCCI that the Captain had reservations with my 'style' and about me continuing as the Head Coach.”
There was a bit of confusion surrounding Kumble’s position, even after he was seemingly offered the short term extension. While the rest of the team left for the Caribbean after the Champions Trophy final, Kumble stayed behind, supposedly for an ICC meet. The former leg spinner’s decision to resign as the head coach came just a few hours later.
With all the tension built-up, Kumble’s interaction with individual players after the heavy loss to Pakistan may have finally triggered his departure.
Jumbo (Kumble) had given the Team India players a good old dressing down after the Champions Trophy final, according to Times of India. He in fact, had a one-on-one session with each of the players after the match, if reports are to be believed.
Kumble, who was said to have been upset after the poor performance, had even told the Indian bowlers that their efforts looked poor, when compared to some of the past Team India players.
The dressing down of the players may have had a huge impact on Kumble’s departure from the dressing room.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had already invited applications for the Team India head coach job, ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, with Kumble getting a direct entry into the interview process.
However, with the 46-year-old pulling out of the process, it now comes down the the five candidates, who have reportedly sent in their CVs – Virender Sehwag, Tom Moody, Lalchand Rajput, Richard Pybus, and Dodda Ganesh.
