Neither Kumble nor Kohli to blame

The very next day, all speculations over Shastri continuing as team director were put to rest. The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising towering personalities like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman almost made it clear that Kumble would take over. Though the announcement was made on June 23 last year it was followed by an ugly spat between Shastri and CAC member Ganguly.

Now the first question is, was it necessary to give the reins to Kumble particularly after Shastri had done no wrong in his two-year stint and was quite popular in the dressing room? The owner of 619 Test wickets was no doubt better choice, but there’s a practice that sportsmen and captains follow across the globe – Not to break the winning combination. But BCCI (read CAC) did.

This was the root cause of all the problems and that eventually culled out the ugly side of Indian cricket in public domain. Then too, Kohli was in favour of Shastri carrying on as the mentor. Probably his views were ignored by people who had more authority than him on Indian cricket.

It’s shocking to see someone of Kumble’s stature being shown the door in such a way, but at the same time this didn’t happen for the first time. No cricket fan would forget how in 2005 Ganguly fell out with Greg Chappell after handpicking and recommending him for the top job. Chappell had to quit in two years’ time as he was not in sync with the dispensation’s mindset, more importantly the captain and seniors.

Experts ranging from Imran Khan to Ganguly often say ‘It’s a captain’s game’. Unlike other sports where coach has a bigger say, cricket has been a skipper’s game that’s proven time and again. So, if Virat Kohli is comfortable with Shastri, be it that way. It’s no disrespect to the Bangalorean. The hue and cry over Kumble’s ‘respect’ is now futile exercise as seed for this day was sown a year ago.

Also, the fact that Kohli has been made the villain of the entire episode is for one lie of rubbishing the rift and thereafter schooling the media just on the eve of the high-octane Champions Trophy final against Pakistan. The allegations on media to cook up stories to run their livelihood was a serious accusation from the captain when, according to reports, they (coach and captain) were not on talking terms for last six months. Kohli should have ideally avoided this. 

However, Shastri has already applied for the Head Coach’s post and in all likelihood he is going to be India’s next coach, with other contenders being Virender Sehwag, Tom Moody, Phil Simmons and Lalchand Rajput. It will just be a matter of few matches or a series when Kohli will yet again become the toast of the nation leaving aside the Kumble saga.
 

(The opinion expressed in the article is of the author)