CoA member Diana Edulji accuses Virat Kohli of sending a message which led to Anil Kumble's ouster

A big controversy hit Indian cricket last year soon after the ICC Champions Trophy as skipper Virat Kohli and the-then head coach Anil Kumble were involved in a feud. The inexplicable incident eventually ended when Kumble sensationally resigned from the post just a day after guiding India to the final of the Champions Trophy.

Kumble had revealed that Kohli’s reservation over his style of functioning made him took the decision. Ravi Shastri, who shares a good rapport with Kohli, was then roped in as the head coach. The incident was criticized by the majority as Kohli faced the heat for his role in it. Several former players and fans expressed their utter surprise after Kumble resigned from the post despite a very impressive track-record as coach. But fortunately, Indian cricket was quick to move on as the controversy did not affect the team’s performance on the field.

Shocking revelation

A year after that controversy, Committee of Administrators (CoA) member Diana Edulji has sensationally accused Kohli of sending a message to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri which eventually led to Shastri replacing Kumble. Edulji’s allegations have surfaced at a time when Indian women cricket team is going through the same turmoil.

The Indian women’s team is without a head coach since the controversial exit of Ramesh Powar.  Veteran batter Mithali Raj had revealed that she was humiliated by Ramesh Powar. The controversy began when Mithali was dropped from the playing eleven for the semifinal against England in the World T20I. Powar, in reply, had said that Mithali was tough to work with.

However, the BCCI and the CoA took Mithali’s words and decided against extending his contract. But skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and her deputy Smriti Mandhana wrote a letter to the BCCI, asking them to extend Powar’s tenure.

And now Edulji has written a letter to CoA chief Vinod Rai, saying that Harmanpreet should be allowed to have a say on the head coach matter, just like Kohli, “I see nothing wrong in women cricketers writing e-mails regarding the coach. They were truthful in expressing their views unlike Virat who frequently sent sms’ to the CEO (Johri) on which you acted and there was a change in the coach,” Edulji’s letter read as per Republic TV.

She also revealed how Shastri’s application for the head coach’s post was accepted by extending the timeline.

“There also I had objected and my dissent is recorded when the timelines were extended for someone to apply as he (Ravi Shastri) didn’t apply in time. Mr. (Anil) Kumble a legend in his own right was subjected to loss of face and made to look like a villain. He was gracious enough to move on for which I respect him. There also, rules were broken and I had raised objections back then.”

~ Written by Bijoy

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