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London, Debasis Sen: As per reports of a failing relationship between the Indian skipper Virat Kohli and the Indian head Coach Anil Kumble reaches to a dead end, the latter didn’t join the team that was scheduled to fly to West Indies today.
The Men-In-Blue is flying out to Port of Spain from Gatwick at 10 am local time today. India will be playing 5 OCI matches and 1 T20 match in West Indies. India will be playing their first and the second ODI matches on June 23 and 25 respectively at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.
Kumble will be staying in London as he will be attending the ICC Chief executive meeting where he is the Chief, apart from him the other Indian representatives would be Board Secretary Amitabh Choudhury and BCCI CEO Rahul Johri.
In a meeting with the Cricket Advisory Committee led by Sachin, Sourav and Laxman with Indian captain Kohli, it was made clear from the captain’s side that a dead end has been reached with him and Kumble. There was hardly any communication among the skipper and the coach as Kumble spent time with the bowlers and mostly kept himself alone.
Despite having a confirmed ticket, Kumble has not travelled with team. This only adds to the speculation. The ICC Cricket Committee meeting was known to BCCI officials present here. Both secretary Amitabh Chowdhury & CEO Rahul Johri knew about it. Since Kumble’s contract with BCCI ends with Champions Trophy, the former leg spinner has chosen to attend the meeting. But sources here say he is due to fly out to Port of Spain to be with the team. In case he chose not to travel, Sanjay Bangar will take the responsibility.
“Funny, the ICC Meeting dates are known for months and so is the West Indies itinerary. You mean Anil didn’t know he had to choose between ICC Meeting and the West Indies tour. May be he is finding it too difficult to continue,” a BCCI official said.