VVS Laxman, earlier today, revealed that the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) wanted Anil Kumble to continue as the head coach of the Indian team, but it was Kumble who was adamant to step down. Kumble had resigned from the post after he was involved in an outrageous fallout with the Indian skipper Virat Kohli last year.

Laxman, who is also a part of the BCCI’s CAC panel said that the entire episode of Anil Kumble-Virat Kohli left a ‘bitter taste in the mouth. Speaking on his views of what was happening during India’s campaign at Champions Trophy last year, Laxman said that he didn’t think that Kohli crossed the line.

Talking about it at India Today South Conclave, VVS Laxman said, “I don't think Virat Kohli crossed the line. We at CAC thought Anil should continue as the coach, but he thought the right decision was to quit and move ahead. It left a bitter taste in the mouth.” Virat Kohli-led India Takes Big Break Before Crucial Boxing Day Test Match! Is This Why Ravi Shastri Was Chosen Over Disciplinarian Anil Kumble?

Laxman further added, “What I did not like was the way he was getting bad press during the Champions Trophy. The CAC wanted Anil to continue, and the entire episode was very unfortunate.”

The BCCI had tasked the CAC panel – comprising of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and VVS Laxman – to select the coach of the Indian cricket team. The controversies had erupted then too, between Ganguly and the present coach of Indian team, Ravi Shastri. In 2016, the CAC panel chose Anil Kumble as the most suitable man for the job!

Speaking about what went wrong between the two, Laxman said, “I always tell people CAC are not marriage counsellors. We were tasked with selecting the best possible job. We did a very elaborate process – unfortunately, Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble didn’t work out.” Should Virat Kohli Play Mayank Agarwal in Third Test Against Australia? Openers KL Rahul and Murali Vijay’s Poor Form Has Left Indian Fans Wondering!

The Indian team has received a lot of flak for taking a 4-day break in the ongoing Test series. Given how the players have performed, the big break has irked many Indian fans. Nonetheless, the 4-match Test series is levelled at 1-1. It will be interesting to see how Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri chart a turnaround for the Indian team.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 21, 2018 09:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).