What Happened Next Was Shocking: Ratnakar Shetty On Virat Kohli-Anil Kumble Rift In 2017
Published - 05 Feb 2022, 01:15 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:04 AM
Former BCCI General Manager Ratnakar Shetty revealed some behind the scenes on Anil Kumble’s exit as India’s head coach in 2017.
Kumble and then Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s feud didn’t go well for the former as the BCCI had invited fresh applications for the coaching role just a few days before the start of ICC Champions Trophy 2017.
Things were exacerbated after India lost to Pakistan by 180 runs in the Champions Trophy final as the fallout between the coach and the captain was made public.
On June 20, 2017, Kumble stepped down from the head coach’s position after stating differences with Kohli.
Anil Kumble’s resignation showcased the murkiness that crept into Indian Cricket: Ratnakar Shetty
Ratnakar Shetty, who was holding the manager of the team at that point, mentioned that Kumble’s exit was already doomed months before it actually took place.
“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,” Shetty revealed the incident in his book ‘On Board: Test.Trial.Triumph. My years in BCCI’.
“I happened to meet Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar at the Wankhede Stadium, on the eve of an IPL game between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab, in the second week of May. I was taken aback when Viru informed me that Dr Sridhar had advised him to apply for the position of the coach of the Indian team,” he wrote.
Anil Kumble and Virat Kohli did not appear to be on the same wavelength: Ratnakar Shetty
Shetty recalled the moment when Anil Kumble, during a meeting with CAC, was asked to reapply for the position. Shetty also said that both Kumble and Kohli were not on the same page.
“I flew to Hyderabad a few days later for the IPL final. The game was preceded by a meeting of the CoA. Anil and Virat Kohli, who by then had become the all-format captain, were to make a presentation on the way forward for Indian cricket, at this meeting. Both Vinod Rai and Diana Edulji (Committee of Administrators) were attending. Anil was present physically, while Virat was to participate virtually,” Shetty mentioned.
“Rai then asked me what process had been followed by the Board to appoint a coach for the national team in 2016. What happened next was shocking. Rai said in front of the entire gathering, Anil included, that the same process would have to be repeated soon! Anil was stunned and so was I.
“It was obvious that some people did not want Anil to continue as coach. The captain and coach did not appear to be on the same wavelength and it seemed that the captain had the upper hand. 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,” he added.
Ravi Shastri replaced Kumble as the head coach of the Indian team and completed four years before his tenure expired in November 2021.
Also Read: It’s Not Something You Can Plan For As A Bowler – Anil Kumble After Ajaz Patel’s 10-Wicket Haul
