Sunil Gavaskar. Pics/ AFP
Sunil Gavaskar blasted reports, which went on to claim that Anil Kumble's exit as Team India's head coach was due to him being a hard taskmaster, which some Indian players apparently had a problem with. Gavaskar described the resignation of national cricket head coach Anil Kumble as a sad day for Indian cricket and patted him for doing a great job in his one-year stint.
Sunil Gavaskar said reports apparently maligning or bad-mouthing Anil Kumble's time as head coach, suggesting he had a rather hardline approach towards the team were baseless. He went on say that a good head coach won't 'let them go shopping', and that if the players expected a 'softie', then have the wrong man.
Indian cricket team
"I have very little knowledge about the differences between Virat and Anil. But it is a really sad day for Indian cricket," Gavaskar said.
Also read - Anil Kumble delivered results. Can anyone challenge that?: Bishen Singh Bedi
"India have won everything since the time Anil took over. I can't see Anil doing much wrong in one year. Difference happen in any team but see at the results," he told NDTV.
During his playing days, Kumble was known as a feisty fighter, even winning matches by bowling with a broken jaw, and Gavaskar wondered why he did not stand up this time.
Team India coach Anil Kumble stepped down from his post with media speculation rife about there being a rift between him and skipper Virat Kohli. Kumble's announcement comes just one day after it was reported that Kohli had conveyed "strong reservations" over Kumble continuing as coach to the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) appointed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Anil Kumble
With India's ICC Champions Trophy 2017 campaign ending with their loss to arch-rivals Pakistan in the final, the Indian cricket team on Tuesday left for the Caribbean soil to participate in a limited-overs series. Kumble though didn't accompany the players with the reason being given as an ICC meet that he needed to attend.
During Anil Kumble's tenur as head coach since June 2016, India won 12 Tests and lost one. In the eight ODIs, India won five and in the T20Is, they won two and lost two.
Also view photos: Virat Kohli vs Anil Kumble: The rift that led to Jumbo's departure
