Finally, the grapevine in the social media turned out to be correct about Anil Kumble’s exit as coach (‘Sport’ – “‘Apparent the partnership was untenable’,” June 21). Team India has had a long history of unacceptability of native coaches. John Wright brought in ‘work ethic’ but Kumble cannot! How odd! Tendulkar, in his book, questioned the credentials of Kapil Dev as coach. Had Kumble soft-pedalled, one feels that he could have continued.
A.V. Narayanan,
Tiruchi
The only fault of Anil Kumble, a proven match-winner and a highly successful coach of the Indian team, may be that he tried to bring in much more professionalism, discipline and commitment to the team. If the captain’s say is so decisive in the selection of coaches and team members, what and where is the need for and role of selectors? After all, captains too come and go. It is no surprise that Kumble, a man of dignity and scruples, called a spade a spade and decided to move on.
C.G. Kuriakose,
Kothamangalam, Kerala
Kumble’s untimely resignation has once again proved that our cash-rich cricket board is spineless and wants only a yes-man in every department. Thankfully, they haven’t blamed the coach for the debacle at the Oval. This is neither the first instance nor is it going to be the last for the board to humiliate cricketers who have served the country honourably.
N. Mahadevan,
Chennai
