After Virat Kohli's captaincy call, BCCI now set to approach Anil Kumble for head coach's role: Report
The past couple of weeks have seen Indian cricket undergoing a tectonic shift, and there could be more in store. The BCCI are reportedly eyeing Anil Kumble’s return as head coach after the T20 World Cup 2021.
According to a report in The Indian Express, the cricket board is set to approach the former leg-spinner with the offer. Ravi Shastri's tenure ends after the marquee tournament in November, and if reports are to be believed he will not be seeking an extension.
Anil Kumble held the position for a year until June 2017. He resigned amid rumors of a major fallout with captain Virat Kohli over differences in their approach. The cracks weren't immediately visible, though, as the team looked mostly well-oiled under them. Many even admired the juxtaposition of Kohli's tenacity with Kumble's tactical nous.
In his resignation letter, Kumble said that for the partnership to be "effective," his "complementary skills", such as professionalism, discipline, commitment and honesty, had to be valued. Virat Kohli proceeded to remove a 2016 tweet welcoming the former cricketer's appointment. He then played a key role in Shastri's return to the backroom setup.
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The development assumes importance as the T20 World Cup 2021 captain Kohli recently announced his decision to relinquish the T20 captaincy after the World Cup.
The BCCI now feels that this step needs to be matched with a change in the coaching staff as well. Significantly, Anil Kumble's resignation had not gone down well with some members of the board. This includes its current president Sourav Ganguly, as well, which seems to be having its repercussions now.
Presently, Anil Kumble is currently handling the duties of head coach and director of cricket operations for the IPL franchise Punjab Kings. If appointed India's head coach, he'll have to give up that role. The BCCI's constitution doesn't allow its members to hold more than one post at a time.
Mahela Jayawardene also in contention alongside Anil Kumble for head coach
Mahela Jayawardene will be the consultant of the Sri Lanka U-19 team from October leading into the World Cup and he will be doing the job without any payment. Great gesture, Mahela.
(Source - CricWire)
Anil Kumble is not the only one in contention for the coveted but high-pressure job. The Indian Express also reported that Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lankan batting great and current head coach of Mumbai Indians, was also approached by the BCCI. However, he's said to be more interested in coaching the Sri Lankan team and the five-time IPL champions and is unlikely to take the role.
What it does suggest, though, is that the BCCI is perhaps keenly looking at the Mumbai Indians model, at least for T20Is. All eyes will now also be on Rohit Sharma, who is most likely to succeed Virat Kohli as captain in the shortest format.