NEW DELHI – The acrimonious exit of India’s cricket coach last year wasgiven a fresh twist on Wednesday as a leaked email suggested captain ViratKohli had “frequently” worked behind the scenes against him.
Former coach Anil Kumble quit over a rift with Kohli in June 2017, sayinghis relationship with the skipper was “untenable”. However, the Board ofControl for Cricket in India has denied any division in the Indian camp.
But in a leaked email seen by the *AFP*, a senior BCCI official wrote toboard administrator Vinod Rai that Kohli “frequently sent SMSs to the CEOon which you acted and there was a change in the coach”.
“Kumble a legend in his own right was subjected to loss of face and made tolook like a villain,” added senior administrator .
“He was gracious enough to move on for which I respect him. There also,rules were broken and I had raised objections back then.”
Edulji’s email originated from a separate controversy in the women’snational team, where former coach Ramesh Powar fell out with one-daycaptain Mithali Raj.
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As men’s national team coach, Kumble helped India reclaim the number-oneTest ranking and maintained an unblemished record in five Test series.
But he resigned after his one-year term ended with a humiliating defeat toPakistan in the 50-over Champions Trophy in June 2017, prompting a falloutwith Kohli who reportedly didn’t like the coach’s training techniques.
He was replaced by Ravi Shastri. Shastri was always the frontrunner for thejob with pundits pointing to his time as India’s team director from 2014-16and warm relationship with Kohli.
Kohli, currently on tour in Australia, was yet to comment publicly on theleaked email. – APP/AFP
