Hours after he stepped down as the Indian cricket team’s head coach, Anil Kumble on Tuesday revealed that a fallout with captain Virat Kohli was the reason behind his decision, claiming that their partnership had become "untenable" despite attempts to resolve the misunderstandings.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Kumble said that he had earlier felt honoured to be asked by the CAC to continue with his tenure as coach. However, he had been taken aback on Monday, when he was first told about Kohli's "reservations" about his coaching style.
...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 role boundaries between the captain and coachAnil Kumble in his Resignation Letter
He also revealed that while the BCCI “attempted to resolve the ‘misunderstandings’ between him and Kohli, it was apparent that the partnership was untenable”.
“I believe it is best for me to move on,” he added, without specifying any specific instance of disagreement with Kohli.
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Kumble's one-year contract as head coach expired at the end of the Champions Trophy but he was given the option to travel with the team to the West Indies for the limited overs series beginning on Friday.
However, Kumble decided to stay back in London for the ICC 'Annual Conference' as he is the chairman of the Cricket Committee while the Indian team boarded the flight to Barbados.
“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,” said Kumble’s letter.
"In light of these reservations, I believe it is best I hand over this responsibility to whomever the CAC and the BCCI deem fit," he added referring to the Cricket Advisory Committee, which is entrusted with the job of finding his replacement.
The CAC, comprising Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly, held meetings with Kumble as well as Kohli to sort out the differences between the duo, but failed.
Let me reiterate that it has been an absolute privilege to have served as head coach for the last one year... I will remain a well-wisher of the great cricketing tradition of my country forever.
In the past 12 months under Kumble, the Indian cricket team won Test series in the West Indies (2-0) before winning at home against New Zealand (3-0), England (4-0), Bangladesh (1- 0) and Australia (2-1).
The team won eight ODIs and lost five during his tenure.
Also Read: As Kumble Resigns as India Coach, A Look at His Brilliant Tenure
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