The resignation of head coach Anil Kumble has once again brought into focus the shabby state of Indian cricket.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCC) is an arrogant body which does whatever it pleases. The Supreme Court-appointed Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) has been impotent so far. How can the BCCI or CAC allow players to dictate terms who they want as coach? It is the board’s duty to appoint a coach and the players to accept it.
Nowhere in the world in any sport does a captain have the right to decide who will coach them.
The lies are also exposed now. During the recently-concluded Champions Trophy, captain Virat Kohli had vehemently denied any rift between him and Kumble.
The fact is that Kumble quit and said his relations with the captain were “untenable”. The cover-up by Kohli was just to get the Champions Trophy out of the way and then gun for Kumble. It is alleged that Kumble spoke his mind after the defeat in the Champions Trophy. And why not?
India fared miserably in the final. They showed no application at all and let things drift.
On the other hand, Pakistan showed the kind of grit and determination which our superstar cricketers failed to do.
These Gods of Indian cricket seemed more interested in keeping their pockets full and clothes clean instead of soiling them with hard work. How else can one explain the defeat after running through most of the opposition in the group stages and the semi-final?
So if Kumble did rebuke them, then they deserved it. There are millions of fans everywhere who were shocked by India’s performance.
It was total submission in the face of a skilful assault by the Pakistan team.
Agreed that Kohli is a brilliant player and a good captain. But he has crossed his limits and set a precedent. India needed a strong-minded coach to harness the talent which the team possesses. Kumble did more than that. The results speak for themselves and it is the only thing that matters.
India had its most successful campaign in Test cricket recently. The shorter version record has also been good. When a coach quits at such a time, something is drastically wrong with the set up.
The Indian cricketers have got too big for their boots. They adored everywhere they go and are seen with top-notch people and film stars. They rake in the moolah by the millions. The fans too put them on a pedestal.
Sport is more hard work than luck. Discipline is the key to success.
Kumble was a disciplinarian and he had to quit his post. Our boys want “soft” coaches who will joke and laugh with them and give them leeway whenever they want. That is exactly what we don’t want. With the sort of talent Indian cricket has, we should never be a “bridesmaid”. But on numerous times we often end being that and not the winners.
The needless run out of Hardik Pandya by a motionless Ravindra Jadeja at a crucial juncture in the Champions Trophy final highlighted how selfishly our cricketers think.
The resignation of Kumble must not be taken lightly by the cricket authorities. They should be laying down the law over player behaviour and opinions, superstar status be damned.
Kumble’s departure is a sad day for Indian cricket.
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