There are bound to be disagreements but that can be sorted in closed environments: Clarke on Kohli-Kumble saga

Ever since there have been reports of a speculating rift between India captain Virat Kohli and coach Anil Kumble, people have had various opinions in the media on the matter. Though Virat Kohli brushed off the rift and termed it as a rumour, BCCI will shortly start conducting interviews for the position of the Indian coach despite Kumble showing great results in his first year in which India lost just one series.

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke said that both Kumble and Kohli should sort their differences out behind closed doors. He was of the opinion that great relationships have greater challenges. The Australian refused to comment on this saga as he thought he wasn’t a part of the change room where all this possibly was construed.

“Any relationship in this world needs openness and honesty. It’s no different in cricket teams where there is a captain and coach. You need to be honest,” Clarke said when asked about the alleged rift between Kohli and Kumble.

“There are bound to be disagreements but that can be sorted in closed environments. In any great relationship, you get challenged,” he said.

“I know Anil Kumble, who is a wonderful person. A coach’s job is to complement the captain sitting inside the change room. I can’t assume what went wrong (if at all) as I am not a part of that change room,” he said.

‘Captain runs the team, not the coach’

Clarke, who led Australia to a World Cup win in 2015, said that a coach can support the captain but it is the captain who runs the entire team. He stressed that cricket is a game where a captain is held responsible for the wins as well as the losses.

“But let me make it clear, in crunch situations, it is the captain, who is going to be accountable. It will be Virat, who will be leading the team inside the field. He will have to put his hand up in pressure situations.

“In the end, it’s a result-oriented game, where a captain will be judged on the basis of wins and losses,” said Clarke.

Clarke hailed Kohli’s leadership in the ongoing Champions Trophy. India, after succumbing to a shock defeat against Sri Lanka, came back strongly to beat the World No. 1 ODI side South Africa by 8 wickets on Sunday. Clarke outlined Kohli’s tactics which have been great in this tournament.

“Virat is a fantastic captain. He competes hard and the way one leads the side is a reflection of one’s personality. He has been tactically brilliant in this tournament so far,” he commented.

Clarke predicts India-England final

Australia were unfortunately knocked out of the tournament after they lost to hosts England in their final and only completed group game. Clarke is now hoping for an India-England final since his home country is out of the competition.

“It was a fantastic win against South Africa. No doubt India is playing some great cricket at the moment. I had predicted an India vs Australia final.

“But now that Australia are out, England is a contender for the trophy too. They deserve to be in final. For me, I reckon, it will be an India vs England final,” he said.

Clarke won 115 Test caps for Australia in which he scored 8643 runs at 49.10. He also has 7981 runs to his name in ODI cricket in 245 games. The 36-year old has been a part of 2 World Cup wins and as many Champions Trophy triumphs.