Virat Kohli asked to adjust with head coach Anil Kumble

Captain of the Indian Cricket Team Virat Kohli has been asked to ‘adjust’ with the head coach Anil Kumble after the CAC decided to extend his tenure. The Cricket Advisory Committee consisting of the elite trio of Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, met on Thursday and unanimously decided to keep Kumble as coach till the end of the West Indies tour. They have subsequently asked the BCCI to give more time to resolve the ongoing issue.

It is understood that the members of the CAC met with Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble separately, and their final decision was to stay with Kumble. As it is, Ganguly, Tendulkar and Laxman weren’t keen on having Kumble removed; the same trio had selected him last year as well.

Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble – a tale of twists and turns

As a result, the CAC’s decision has brought some peace in the Indian Cricket Team, which was initially undecided whether to participate in the ICC Champions Trophy. However, what lies further ahead for Team India remains unclear.

“The CAC has bought some time for Kumble and ensured he is not ignominiously removed after India’s run in the Champions Trophy. He will travel with the team to West Indies. It’s a short tour so there shouldn’t be any problems. Kohli is basically being asked to ‘adjust’ for a while more,” a top source in the BCCI said.

What about the pending applications?

The BCCI had earlier invited applications for a new head coach, after which, the likes of Tom Moody, Virender Sehwag and Lalchand Rajput had sent their candidatures. Nevertheless, there is no clarity on when, if at all, the CAC will conduct the pending interviews with the other coaching applicants. Team India are scheduled to leave for the West Indies on June 20 from London and returns to India on July 10. A decision on Kumble is now expected to be taken at the BCCI’s SGM on June 26.

BCCI’s acting president CK Khanna had earlier written a letter to all stakeholders saying that the Kumble matter be postponed till the BCCI SGM on June 26. In an exclusive conversation with TOI, he said, “How could the coach be replaced in the middle of the Champions Trophy and with the tour to West Indies coming up? Everyone, including IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla, was agreed on the fact that the matter of picking a new coach or giving Kumble an extension must be delayed.”

Anil Kumble was given a one-year contract in 2016, and the BCCI had decided to reassess his position in case the need arises. The next coach – whether it is Kumble once again, or a new candidate – will be given a contract that extends till the 2019 World Cup.