Former BCCI administrator Ratnakar Shetty has recently opened up on the events that led up to the tussle between former Indian skipper Virat Kohli and former head coach Anil Kumble. Anil Kumble was appointed as the head coach of India in 2016 but he stepped down from the role in 2017 after turbulent relations with Virat Kohli.
Captain and coach did not appear to be on the same wavelength: BCCI official Shetty
The former BCCI official Shetty revealed the events in his new book “On Board: Test.Trial.Triumph. My years in BCCI”.
“The events leading up to the resignation of Anil Kumble as coach of the men’s team after the ICC Champions Trophy final in June 2017 showcased the murkiness that had steadily crept into the corridors of the Cricket Centre,” The Indian Express quoted Shetty as writing in his book.
“The events leading up to the resignation of Anil Kumble as coach of the men’s team after the ICC Champions Trophy final in June 2017 showcased the murkiness that had steadily crept into the corridors of the Cricket Centre,” The Indian Express quoted Shetty as writing in his book On Board: Test.Trial.Triumph. My years in BCCI.
Shetty wrote that Kohli, who was the Indian captain across formats in 2017, was not happy with Kumble for not standing up for players and creating a tense dressing room atmosphere.
“It was obvious that some people did not want Anil to continue as coach,” Shetty wrote. “The captain and coach did not appear to be on the same wavelength and it seemed that the captain had the upper hand.”
Kohli was unhappy with Kumble for not standing up for players: BCCI official Shetty
He continued, “I learnt later about a meeting that took place in London before the final of the Champions Trophy, which we lost to Pakistan. This meeting was attended by Virat, Anil, Johri, Amitabh Choudhary and Dr Sridhar. Apparently, Virat was not happy with Anil ‘for not standing up for the players and creating a tense atmosphere in the dressing room’, among other things.”
Anil Kumble resigned after India’s infamous loss at the hands of Pakistan in the final of the Champions Trophy 2017. He was replaced by Ravi Shastri, who was with the team for four years. Although in Shastri’s reign, India did not win any ICC event, the team had a phenomenal success rate especially overseas.
Highlights:
• Former BCCI administrator Shetty reveals insights about the tussle between Kohli and Kumble.
• Kohli was unhappy with Kumble as he did not stand up for the players.
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