Kumble quits as India coach?

India coach Anil Kumble has reportedly stepped down from his post just four days before the start of their tour of West Indies, and just two days after India ended their Champions Trophy campaign by losing to archrivals in the final in England, reports ESPNCricinfo.

According to the popular cricket website and earlier reports, doubts arose over Kumble continuing in the role after negative feedback from the players, including captain Virat Kohli, who were uncomfortable with Kumble’s “intimidating” style. 

He had been appointed India coach on June 23, 2016 by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman and had overseen a period of great success. According to the Cricinfo report “it was understood that he would remain India's coach for the West Indies tour while the board finalised who would be in charge going forward”.

However, before the India team departed for Barbados on Monday, Kohli met the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) top brass along with Kumble in London. The meeting was called after the CAC informed the BCCI that it had failed to resolve the impasse between Kohli and Kumble.

The BCCI, ESPNCricinfo reports, received six applications including that of Kumble for the fresh interview process. It is understood that the CAC did not meet Kumble at all after it was asked by the BCCI to make the final choice.

“It was not a pleasant meeting,” a board official, privy to Monday’s discussions, was quoted by ESPNCricinfo as saying.

Kumble stayed back in London even though the India squad left for West Indies on Monday morning, and the initial reason given was that the former leg-spinner stayed behind to attend the ICC cricket committee meeting. 

"The CAC is likely to have told BCCI that the differences were not cricketing related but more of a personal nature. If he were to stick on, it would be very awkward on Anil's part. It is not good to handle someone as big as Anil in this manner," said the official.