Anil Kumble on controversial coaching stint with India, talks about 'untenable differences' with Virat Kohli

Former Indian cricketer and coach Anil Kumble stated that he enjoyed his time as the head coach of the Indian cricket team even with the way it ended which he believes could've been better.

Anil Kumble relinquished his role as a coach soon after India’s Champions Trophy campaign 2017, citing 'untenable differences' with skipper Virat Kohli. Kumble and Kohli reportedly had disagreements for quite some time although Kohli dismissed reports of tiff.

In a statement in June 2017, Anil Kumble stated that he was set forth by the cricket board that skipper Kohli had 'reservations with my 'style' and about my continuing as the head coach' and he had decided it was best to move on.

Speaking on an Instagram live session, Anil Kumble said he enjoyed working with the Indian team as coach and does not have any regrets about it.

In the course of Anil’s 1st year term, India rose to the No.1 spote in ICC Test ranking and got to Champions Trophy final.

"I was very happy that I took up that role [India coach]. It was great, the one year I spent with the Indian team was really fantastic," Kumble said.

"Having been with great performers and again being a part of the Indian dressing room is a great feeling.

"We did really well in that one year period. I was really happy that there were some contributions made and there are no regrets. I was happy moving on from there as well. I know the end could have been better but then that's fine.

"As a coach, you realise, when it's time to move on, it's the coach who needs to move on. I was really happy I played a significant role in that one year."

Furthermore, the former leg-spinner stated that he wanted to take a breather after working with Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for 3 years to spend more time with his family. Anil Kumble said he had got the nod from his family to undertake the India coach job when he applied for it in 2016.

"Being a part of the IPL, first with RCB as a mentor and then with Mumbai Indians as a mentor, it was really satisfying and heartening because we won the IPL for the frist time when I was part of the Mumbai Indians. Since then, they have never looked back, they have won 4 titles over the last 7 years.

"Of course, I gave a break because my kind, the younger two children, hadn't seen anything other than IPL during their holidays.

"When I completed 3 years with Mumbai Indians, I sort of said I needed to take a break and take the kids on a holiday.

"When I returned I saw an ad calling for the coach for the Indian team. I then sort of asked around the family, I asked my wife what she thought. She said 'yeah, give it a go.'. I said 'see it means back to playing days, probably worse off because you tend to travel a lot more'. She said 'it's okay'. The kids are young, these 2 are young, the older one, probably, she is on her own. She said 'it's fine, you carry on. Apply, there is no harm in applying'.

"I got that job. It was because the sort of comfort I had with my family and kids, I took it up."

Anil Kumble will return to coaching role if and when IPL 2020 gets started later this year in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Not long ago he was appointed as the head coach of Kings XI Punjab.

"I am now looking forward to being a part of Kings XI team. Over the 12 years, Kings have been able to consistently do well. So whenever the IPL happens, I am looking forward to being part of the dressing room again," Kumble said.

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