This is exactly what India didn’t need after their Champions Trophy final defeat against Pakistan. Especially since it seemed that coach Anil Kumble’s role was safe till the end of the West Indies series starting on 23 June. But two days after the loss against their arch rivals, the legendary spinner has stepped down from his position.
Reports of a spat between him and captain Virat Kohli also took a backseat when the captain addressed the issue at the start of the Champions Trophy, saying that there were no problems between him and the coach. However, that has clearly not helped the case.
It’s not often that Kohli is derided on social media – but as soon as reports broke of Kumble stepping down, even Twitter turned against him. And even though Virender Sehwag, who applied to be coach, has not yet been confirmed as the next man in charge, he got pulled into the loop too.
Here are the pick of the tweets after Kumble’s decision…
Virat Kohli after Anil Kumble steps down: pic.twitter.com/uIpb1JFVA2
— Jaideep Vaidya (@jaideepjourno) June 20, 2017
@anilkumble1074 stepping down shows even CAC (Sachin, Ganguly, Laxman) failed to broker peace between him and Virat Kohli…
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 20, 2017
I don’t think we deserve Kumble. Too much disciplined, intelligent, and visionary to coach this team.
— Shuvro Ghoshal (@shuvro_addict) June 20, 2017
Kohli: Sir team meeting mein pitch pe discuss kar lete hain.
Sehwag: Wo sab ho jaayega. Pahele batao aj birthday kiska hai…— cricBC (@cricBC) June 20, 2017
Removing a coach on the recommendations of a captain will set a wrong precedent. Hope that was not the case.
— Shuvro Ghoshal (@shuvro_addict) June 20, 2017
If it is true that @anilkumble1074 has stepped down as coach, Indian cricket has let itself lose an outstanding resource.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 20, 2017
Kumble is a gentleman.Ppl taking pot shots at him and Kohli disrespect for him is unwarranted.Speaks more about the character of those.
— E=mc^2 (@NyayaVrsa) June 20, 2017
#Anilkumble“Anil Kumble steps down as Indian cricket team’s head coach”@virendersehwag : Kisine mujhe yaad kiya lagta h! pic.twitter.com/o1ocC5A0hw
— Sagnik (@Sangy_Sagnik) June 20, 2017
Anil Kumble steps down as India’s coach. Dont know wats brewing inside the dressing room but its saddens me to see this legend leave😳😳
— Hariom Kumar (@hkumar26) June 20, 2017
Gilchrist-Warne were no buddies but they never let ego overtake team cause
Here,a great batsmen Kohli has failed as Captain for Anil Kumble— Apoorv Sharma (@TweeterHimachal) June 20, 2017
Anil Kumble steps down as Indian cricket team’s head coach. ANI. Sorry, #Kohli you messed it up big time. Learn to respect your seniors
— Francis Sundar Singh (@GentlemanOfMCC) June 20, 2017
kumble has been great servant of the game and i truly believe he is not guilty party here.kohli ka dimagh kaharaab hai.
— Shoaib Zaheer (@BUGTI1358) June 20, 2017
This is very unfortunate,Kumble like gentleman & all time gr8 baller has humiliated like dis by arrogant captain Kohli & BCCI is overlooking
— Niraj Kumar (@NirajKu61804406) June 20, 2017
Kumble stepping down is a huge blow. Team need people like him in this transition phase. #KumbleQuits
— Mouli Mallina (@moulitalks) June 20, 2017
Hey desperate Nautanki @virendersehwag congratulations, you will get chance to go to West Indies with #BCCITeam coz Anil Kumble has resigned
— KRK (@kamaalrkhan) June 20, 2017
I didn’t think Kumble would agree to go to WI unless his acceptance was unconditional. Clearly that’s not so. Sad, sad development..
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 20, 2017
The fact that Kumble will not go to West Indies shows how hurt he is the way he’s been treated. Not the way to treat a legend. https://t.co/JvQzt1IJ51
— Zakka Jacob (@Zakka_Jacob) June 20, 2017
Hope SC will appoint Pratap Bhanu Mehta as next coach of Indian cricket team.
— Domain Maximus (@sidin) June 20, 2017
Feature image source: AFP