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How a WhatsApp chat created a rift between Kumble and Kohli

  • Virat Kohli sent a BCCI official a text message where he called Kumble ‘overbearing’
  • Anil Kumble is said to have created a WhatsApp group with his friends in media and shared conversations with players in that group
  • Anil Kumble insisted on the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav in the team which Virat Kohli spoke against

 

Whatsapp text Kuldeep selection caused Kohli  Kumble rift

The rift between Team India captain Virat Kohli and coach Anil Kumble is far from over even with both the parties remaining tight-lipped over the matter, probably trying to refrain from creating a controversy during the Champions Trophy. 

According to an Indian Express report, Virat Kohli sent a BCCI official a text message where he called Kumble ‘overbearing’. A few months back a bowler landed at the national cricket academy in Bengaluru saying that he had to get test-match fit. He said he was ordered to do this.

What also set the Indian skipper off is the alleged leak of conversations between Kumble and the players to certain sections of the media. 

A DNA report quoted an unnamed senior BCCI official as saying, "We've been told that there is a WhatsApp group created by Kumble of his few trusted media friends and few confidential talks between him and senior players were leaked through that." 

Another factor, which is said to have sparked the spat, was the inclusion of left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav in the team during the last test against Australia in Dharamshala. Apparently, Kohli wanted to continue with the playing members and not make changes in the line-up. But Anil Kumble’s insistence saw Yadav in the team. 

The BCCI’s invitation of new applications for the post of the head coach raised many speculations of the discontent in the Indian camp. The conclusion of the Champions Trophy may bring a few answers when BCCI’s advisory committee comprising of Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman will broker a peace deal between the coach and the captain. 
 

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