“I do not focus on these issues” - When Virat Kohli quashed rumors of a rift with Anil Kumble during 2017 Champions Trophy
Back in 2017, Virat Kohli responded to the rumors of him having a rift with head coach Anil Kumble. His comments came ahead of India's Champions Trophy opener against Pakistan.
Kumble was appointed the head coach of the Indian team in June 2016 for a one-year term. Despite not having any formal coaching experience, BCCI's three-man cricket advisory consisting of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman recommended him for the job.
The former spinner was notably preferred ahead of Ravi Shastri, who served as the team director from 2014 to 2016.
However, the team was not happy with Kumble's approach, and the dressing room was as relaxed as it was during Shastri's tenure. As per the players, Kumble was pushing the players hard, which resulted in a few of them sustaining non-cricketing injuries.
Virat Kohli reportedly met BCCI officials ahead of the tournament and expressed his discontent with Kumble's coaching style. As a result, the apex board invited fresh applications for the post.
Here's what Kohli said on his rift with Kumble (via ESPNcricinfo):
"See, there has been a lot of speculation and a lot of things being written by people without actually being a part of the changing room, which is very strange. There are no problems whatsoever. The team is totally focused on the Champions Trophy.
"I think in India there is a lack of patience. People speculate from a distance. They apply their own idea. And when that thing does not happen, nobody admits his mistake. That is why I do not focus on these issues. If you write something, you should take the ownership that I was wrong," he added.
Anil Kumble resigned from the post after India's shattering loss to Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2017 final. According to Kumble, his partnership with Virat Kohli was untenable and he chose not to fly to the West Indies despite accepting BCCI's offer to continue on his role until the Caribbean tour.
How did India fare under head coach Anil Kumble?
In the one-year tenure of Anil Kumble, the Indian team was largely impressive with their performances across all formats. In 17 Tests, they won as many as 12, drew four, and lost just one.
In 13 ODIs, the Men in Blue emerged victorious in India in eight and lost five, On the other hand, they won two, lost two and one ended in a no-result in five T20I games.
Following Anil Kumble's resignation, Ravi Shashtri served as India's head coach from 2017 to 2021. The former spinner then worked as the head coach of the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League from 2020 to 2022.