Anil Kumble deserved much more than what he got, says Gautam Gambhir

As the Anil Kumble-Virat Kohli saga came to an end, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had a sigh of relief. With Anil Kumble’s resignation followed by the appointment of Ravi Shastri and his coaching staff, things seem to have calmed down in Indian cricket. But the chapter remains one of the worst cases in the history with a plethora of rumours and gossips which came up every day.

However, one this is for sure, that skipper Virat Kohli stood firm in his demand for a new face in the position as he and some of the other team mates were not happy with the legendary leg spinner’s management style. Eventually, the whole team united to support Virat Kohli which led to the stepping down of Kumble.

But former Indian internationals and other cricketing legends all over the world have expressed their disappointment over the issue. According to many Kumble should not have been treated the way he was. Indian international and left handed batsman Gautam Gambhir has also joined the list as he stood for Anil Kumble. The Kolkata Knight Riders player revealed that he was taken aback by the whole scenario. Gambhir also works as an analyst for ESPNcricnfo’s new show ‘Turn and Bounce.’

In an interview with India Today, Anil Kumble Gambhir claimed that the BCCI should have acted in a more matured way. He also said that a true legend like Anil Kumble deserved a hell lot more than what he got.

“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.” said Gambhir.

The left handed genius added that BCCI’s reputation has surely gone down a bit after the incident. “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,” he opined.

Gambhir went on to say that now that the episode is over everyone should move on and concentrate on playing cricket because at the end of the what matters is India’s wins.

“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,”

On Virat Kohli:

According to the hero of the 2011 World Cup Final, Virat Kohli should not bother about who is the coach. He should focus on his cricket instead and keep away from external pressures.

“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,” concluded Gambhir.