Anil Kumble-Virat Kohli Relationship Akin to That of Nayudu-Mankad in 1952 - Ramachandra Guha

Ramachandra Guha, the former member of Committee of Administrators and eminent historian, believes the feud between India skipper Virat Kohli and former head coach Anil Kumble was similar to the fallout between former India skipper Vinoo Mankad and chief selector CK Naydu in 1952.

A couple of days after this year’s Champions Trophy, Kumble stepped down from his position and stated that Virat Kohli’s reservations over his ‘style’ of coaching were the reason behind it. That everything was not well between Kumble and Kohli was widely speculated after news of an alleged rift came to the fore in the buildup to the Champions Trophy.

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However, Kohli dismissed those rumours during his pre-match press conference before the tournament-opener and the way India performed in the tournament; everything seemed fine.

But as soon as the tournament ended, Kumble dropped the bombshell. Kumble, in a statement, had said he came to know about Kohli’s views just a day after the Champions Trophy and thus took the decision.

“I resigned from the Committee of Administrators six months ago, and this is for the first time that I am commenting in public on cricket. (There is a) story about a massive dispute between Col CK Nayudu and Vinoo Mankad,” Guha spoke during a function at the Bombay Gymkhana.

“So essentially Nayudu was the chairman of selectors and Mankad was India’s great cricketer. India was touring England in 1952 and Mankad had been offered a contract with Lancashire League,” he recollected.

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“So when Mankad told the BCCI that if you assure me that I will be on the England tour of 1952, I will not take this contract. (To which) Nayudu said we will not give you an assurance. India lost the first Test (and) Mankad played in Lord’s.”

“My one point on cricket today it struck me is that the relationship between Nayudu and Mankad in 1951-52 was akin between Anil Kumble and Virat Kohli,” he added.

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Guha went on to take a sly dig at the way the players’ position has become stronger than those of the administrators.

“With this difference, in 1952, the administrators, selectors and managers had the upper hand compared to the players. Abhi ulta hai (now it is opposite),” he said.

The Kumble-Kohli feud, nonetheless, ended on a sad note, as the legendary leg-spinner had to part ways with the team despite being very successful in his stint which lasted for around a year.

During the spell, Kumble guided India to Test series wins over Windies, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh and Australia and limited-overs series win over New Zealand, England in addition to the march to the final in the Champions Trophy.

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