Meetings by Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble weren't convened by team manager

It is a well-known fact that when a team needs to pick a playing XI from the given squad, the team manager must be present at the decisive meeting. However, reports say that many of those selection meets during the long home season of 13 Test matches weren’t attended by the team manager, and neither was he kept in the loop.

Lately, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing in the Indian Cricket Team, especially because of the disputes between coach Anil Kumble and the players. In particular, captain of the team Virat Kohli and Kumble have been rumoured to undergo friction due to several reasons.

Disagreements between Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble over selection matters in choosing the playing XI is one of the reasons for strained relations between the two. Kohli did clear the air in a press conference saying there aren’t any issues between him and the coach, but reports say otherwise.

Anil Patel, an official of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) had been acting as the team manager during the lengthy home season which included the Test series’ against New Zealand, England, Bangladesh and Australia. However, he was reportedly not present during the selection meets, especially during the India-Australia Test series.

“He was a quiet man and did not insist on the eleven being picked in his presence. So that’s how it progressed,” a team source was quoted as saying by India Today.

Kumble-Kohli rift over Kuldeep Yadav

There was discord between Kumble and Kohli over the selection of chinaman Kuldeep Yadav during the Australia Test series, and this matter has surfaced with Patel being ousted. Kumble had opted for Kuldeep, while Virat remained insistent on not playing the youngster. However, the left-arm chinaman bowler was eventually picked for the fourth and final Test in Dharamshala, which incidentally Kohli did not play. Kuldeep went on to shine in his maiden Test, picking up four crucial wickets in the first innings.

The manager in the capacity of a convener doesn’t have a say in selection matters. However, he does take on the role of the board’s eyes and ears during an international series or on tour.

Regarding the ongoing issue, Anil Patel refused to make any comments whatsoever. Patel has now been replaced by the Cricket Club of India (CCI)’s more experienced Kapil Malhotra, who also served as team manager for five successive series including the Asia Cup and World T20 last year.

As of now, the norm of the team manager convening meetings to choose the playing eleven has resumed for the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy in England.