Shame Virat Kohli has no respect for legends like Anil Kumble without a strong BCCI
Virat Kohli did not like Anil Kumble's style of coaching. Not because Kumble had a poor track record as coach, not because he leaked dressing room secrets, not because he was trying to drive a wedge between senior players. Kohli was uncomfortable with Kumble because the recently-retired coach is a stickler for perfection and a hard-working man.
Kumble, in his heydays in international cricket, showed zero tolerance for nonsense and wore his heart on his sleeve. As coach, he decided to bring these values to a new bunch of players whose talent is beyond question. But those values come with a price. Kumble, for instance, is not intimidated by star power. Why would he? He is one of Indian cricket's biggest heroes. He has won more matches than most of his more glamorous contemporaries. Anil Kumble is a fighter.
But it seems Kohli, the superstar of world cricket, was not ready to deal with a tough taskmaster. There were reports of a rift between captain and coach even before India began their (now failed) Champions Trophy defence in England. By the end of the tournament, India had a paid a heavy price, losing the final to Pakistan.
Despite honest efforts by the advisory committee of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, Kohli did not budge from his stance - he did not want Kumble and that had to be the end of it. Kumble, who had tormented batsmen all over the world and bowled with a broken jaw to show his guts, was going to lose his first battle to the ego of a much younger man, who had not even found his footing as captain.
It is clear Kohli has no respect for his seniors. He has no respect for their aura and their legend. Is he not even scared of a Tendulkar? Of a Ganguly? These men are respected by the board and loved by fans. Was Kohli not scared of what his fans would say? They are already furious with him. Check what's going on in social media platforms.
No, Kohli has no fear either - he is only a new captain without much of a track record but he is not scared of anyone.
Indian cricket stars are only scared of the BCCI. A senior BCCI official can demand more respect, awe and fear than any legend of the game. After all, it is the suits who hold they key to their future. Imagine a superstar flying high at the peak of his career in his late 20s. Ten years down the line, when he struggles to hold on to his place as a 38-year-old, being in the good books of the BCCI would help immensely.
It is the board that has the power to keep egos in check and star players in line. But the BCCI itself is in shambles. The Supreme Court axed the board president and secretary after their stubborn refusal to implement the Lodha panel recommendations and appointed in their stead, a Committee of Administrators.
In the absence of a strong BCCI, Kohli somehow found the wings to fly high and challenge a man whose contribution to Indian cricket is beyond question. Could this have happened two years ago? A strong president would have immediately stepped in and sorted things out.
Yes, Greg Chappell happened despite the system. But there is no case to compare the temperamental Australian with Kumble. Chappell had a poor record as coach, Kumble's record is impressive. Chappell had created fear in the dressing room and all Kumble wanted was a consistent work ethic. Kumble did not hold back when he saw sloppy performances. He could not swallow the disgraceful show against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final and Kohli could not digest the dressing down he got from the coach.
And in the absence of a strong board, Kohli threw a fit. He defied a BCCI-appointed committee which had a combined experience of 447 Test matches to put down a man who took 956 wickets for India.
Not very well played, skipper.