Indian cricket is getting sucked into another captain-coach controversy just when the crucial Champions Trophy has got underway in England.
India play Pakistan on Sunday in a much-awaited encounter. But will they be in the right frame of mind to take on their arch-rivals?
The Virat Kohli-Anil Kumble war was probably simmering for some time but is now coming to a boil. It seems captain Kohli is unhappy with the strong-minded and strict approach of head coach Kumble. There are also rumblings from other players as well.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already sought applications for a coach, which is their usual procedure, though Kumble automatically enters the fray as an incumbent.
The whole affair reeks of an earlier controversy between former captain Saurav Ganguly and coach Greg Chappell. Both were strong minded individuals but Chappell was vindictive as well. It is hoped the current crisis does not take an ugly turn like the previous one.
Ultimately in the Kohli-Kumble spat, it is the results which count. There can be no faulting there as India has had a phenomenal run under both. India has lost only one Test since Kumble took over as head coach last year. They have also done well in the shorter versions.
The problem is that Kohli shared a good rapport with Kumble’s predecessor Ravi Shastri, who had a freer and much more relaxed approach. On the other hand, Kumble has always approached the game hard even when he was a player or captain. Hr was tough and expected the same standards which he set from others.
His coaching has been no different. But there are many Indian cricketers who don’t like his schoolmaster approach. However, there is a need for such an attitude as Indian cricketers tend to be lax sometimes.
There is also another issue here. Indian cricketers enjoy film star status in the country. They are adored everywhere they go.
They earn plenty and have film stars as girlfriends. In other words, they are high profile individuals who enjoy many benefits.
But cricket is a hard game. Ultimately the hard work you put during practise will ultimately improve your skills and maintain the standards. There have been instances of players slacking particularly after their return from injury. Some even feign injury to avoid hard work. Kumble would have none of that. He insists on discipline and hard work. The results prove his methods have been a success.
Kohli is passionate and a natural cricketer. He plays hard like Kumble. He is also a great team man.
However, Kohli gets carried away by his emotions and convictions. It is possible that Kumble’s direct approach may have hurt him a few times. Kumble has been accused of poor man management skills. But that can be rectified if the board has a quiet word with him or Kohli himself speaks about it one-to-one.
One seriously hopes better sense prevails. Indian cricket is at its peak because of these two stalwarts. They have to move forward instead of taking a step back. If they take the latter approach, Indian cricket may also take several steps backwards.
The three-man committee to choose the coach comprises wise heads Sachin Tendulkar, Ganguly and VVS Laxman. They know Kumble and Kohli well and the whole issue can be amicably settled.
The good of Indian cricket must be foremost and individual egos must be buried.
#The views expressed in this column are the authors
- Mogambo Khush Hua! - July 13, 2019
- Five Spoofs To Make Your Day - July 7, 2019
- Have You Seen These Aamir Khan Classics? - June 29, 2019
