Gavaskar hopes better sense prevails in Kohli-Kumble spat

Amidst BCCI’s surprising move to not offer Anil Kumble an extended contract, reports of a rift between Kohli and Kumble surfaced, which stated that the former described Kumble’s method as “intimidating” and his approach similar to a "headmaster at a school". But Gavaskar, who is known for calling a spade a spade, believes that it is not good for Indian cricket going forward and the issue could have been handled in a much better way.

Gavaskar, at the Aaj Tak Salaam Cricket 2017 conclave, said, “I’m not sure whether these reports of a rift between Kumble and Kohli are true or not but the timing of this is certainly not right. We have got such a big game, which would decide how the Indian team would do in the tournament. Off days, when there is no cricket happening, are the ones Indian cricket team dreads the most, that is when such reports come out because there is no actual cricket to cover.”

“It is hard for me to say how it should be resolved. I hope better sense prevails because nobody is bigger than the game and I think Indian cricket has got to be No 1 priority. We can all differ on how that but as long as our heart beats for Indian cricket, I think we should encourage.”

Gavaskar

“It is hard for me to say how it should be resolved. I hope better sense prevails because nobody is bigger than the game and I think Indian cricket has got to be No 1 priority. We can all differ on how that but as long as our heart beats for Indian cricket, I think we should encourage.”  

Kumble's one-year contract expires at the end of the Champions Trophy. The development comes at less than an ideal time for India, with their first match in the tournament, against arch rivals Pakistan, not too far away. In between all the speculations of a fall out between both the parties, Gavaskar provided a nugget of reality to the Indian captain saying it is not always possible for the coach and captain to be on the same page. 

"You will never have situation, where a captain and a coach will always be on the same page. It cannot happen because the coach is invariably somebody who has played in an earlier generation, so their attitude will always be slightly different.

"I don't think this should be taken seriously, this kind of discussion is in fact healthy. Coach should be somebody who is good for Indian cricket. He should have a vision for Indian cricket which would carry Indian cricket forward for the next 8 to 10 years," the former Indian skipper added.

After Kumble took charge of the Indian team, India have only lost one series in any format - a 1-0 Twenty20 series loss to against West Indies in Florida. He was also at the forefront in taking India to the No.1 spot in the ICC Test rankings, which prompted Gavaskar to hail the legendary legspinner's contribution.

"Kumble has done a very good job as coach. I am simply going by the results and when you go by the results of last year, you can say he has done nothing wrong."

Gavaskar also hopes that the Cricket Advisory Committee, which comprises Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman would be able to speak to the skipper and coach.

"Tendulkar, Ganguly and Laxman - these three are legends of the game - these three have played with Anil and they will get the respect and will be heard by both Virat and Anil."

"These three have nothing but the interest of Indian cricket at heart. In case there's any truth in the matter, I think that should be the way forward."