Gambhir blasts BCCI for not handling Kohli-Kumble saga properly

After the Kumble-Kohli rift became public, the BCCI finally decided to take some action on the issue and it resulted in the coach resigning from his post stating that his relationship with the captain had become "untenable". The BCCI were then forced to invite more applications for the vacant role but not too many coaches were interested in throwing their hat into the fiery ring of Indian cricket. Gambhir pointed out how the entire controversy should have been handled better and Kumble deserved to be treated with more respect than what he was actually given.

"BCCI could have handled it in a lot more professional way. You got to give a legend like Anil Kumble a lot more respect. He is someone who has done so much for Indian cricket and has been a captain as well," Gambhir told India Today.

"If you handle the issue in this fashion it gives a poor image. I think because of that you got the kind of coach applicants you got to consider."

However, Gambhir added that it was time for the team to move past the issue as the team is always bigger than any individual.

"It's done and dusted and the appointment has been made. Irrespective of whether Anil Kumble is the coach or Ravi Shastri, what's more important is that India wins. After all the coaches performance is not analysed, the team's performance is," he added.

There has been a lot of talk about the kind of pressure Kohli will be under after the fiasco and since he, reportedly, got his choice of coach in the shape of Ravi Shastri. Gambhir, though, disagreed with the assessment stating that it would have no impact on Kohli while adding that it is also not a "distraction" for the players in the team.

"I don't think there will be external pressure on Virat. The coach has been appointed. The support staff is largely the same.

"If this controversy had lingered on it could have been a distraction. Now it should not. The series is about to get underway. You have gone there to play as a cricketer. Who should be appointed is not your job. Your focus is on cricket," he concluded.

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