Kumble Quits– The Whys, Wherefores & What-Nows

It was a marriage made in heaven. One of India’s most successful bowlers ever – Anil Kumble – was coaching the bright, talented, top ranking Indian side. He helped them get to the No 1 spot in world cricket. But things seemed to have been souring over some time. When, Kumble announced his resignation from the post of coach following the humiliating defeat that Team India suffered at the hands of arch rivals Pakistan, not too many were surprised.

Applications were invited

The BCCI had invited applications for the post of the head coach of the Indian cricket team on 25 May. Kumble’s performance as coach was generally seen as excellent and most people expected that he would be asked to stay on for a second term as coach. The reinitiating of the application process struck everyone as odd and rumours of rifts and disagreements started to circulate.

No rift

While the Champion’s Trophy was on, there were some rumblings of discord; that the coach and the captain were not seeing eye to eye. However, these reports were rubbished. Skipper Virat Kohli dismissed the reports saying that there were no problems. He said that while disagreements can happen in a team; much as they would in a family, there was no rift as such. BCCI joint secretary Amitabh Chaudhary also denied that there was any problem.

The resignation

Just after the conclusion of the Champions Trophy, and mere days before the start of the Indian limited overs series in the West Indies, Anil Kumble tendered his resignation from his post as head coach. He was quoted as having said, “it was apparent the partnership (with the captain) was untenable, and I therefore believe it is best for me to move on.”

The reasons

According to one BBCI official, the differences between the coach and his team members seemed “irreparable”.  The skipper had apparently also told BCCI officials that some team players were uncomfortable with Kumble's ”intimidating” man management style. For his part, this was the letter Kumble wrote as and by way of resignation.

Abhinav Bindra had this to say

India’s shooter and Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra had some salutary advice for the Indian cricketers: he apparently hated his coach, but “stuck with him for 20 years”  #justsaying said Bindra. Others such as badminton player Jwala Ghutta had a similar story to share about disagreements with her coach. Both sportspersons evidently think that personality clashes and ego hassles should take a backseat to the game… is anyone listening?

The speculation

The rumor mills were working overtime. According to some, Virender Sehwag was looking to be coach to team India and that he had sent a two line application to the BCCI when applications were invited. Sehwag himself rubbished these stories and was reported as saying that Kumble's shoes would be hard to fill.

There is sympathy for Kumble

The man who always played the game like a gentleman had many claims to fame and is still extremely well liked and respected by India's cricket lovers.  Though there may be those who want him back, that ship appears to have well and truly sailed.

What now?

With the Indian team already in the midst of a West Indian tour and a Sri Lankan tour in the offing, there is much speculation about who will be next. Fresh applications have been invited by the BCCI and among others, Ravi Shastri’s name is currently doing the rounds as a real possibility.

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