New Delhi: Australian legend Ian Chappell has backed India skipper Virat Kohli in the controversy that erupted after his fallout with former coach Anil Kumble, saying “if a coach is to be inflicted on a captain”, it should be someone with whom he is comfortable.
In his column for ESPNCricinfo, Chappell played down the role of a coach in any team. “Kohli didn’t have the same harmonious relationship with Anil Kumble that he enjoyed with Ravi Shastri when he was cricket director. The fact that India have now reverted to Shastri as coach prompts the question: ‘Why change something that isn’t broken?’,” he asked.
“If a coach is to be inflicted on a captain then at least it should be someone with whom he’s comfortable,” he added.
Kumble resigned from the position after the Champions Trophy last month and admitted that his relationship with Kohli had become “untenable”. Kohli, on his part, has not yet given any comment on the rift.
India’s top batsmen, including Kohli, meanwhile got plenty of time in the middle as the visitors scored 312-9 on the second and final day of their warm-up tie against Sri Lanka Board’s President XI which ended in a draw in Colombo.
Resuming at 135-3, overnight batsman Kohli slammed a fifty, while the rest of the middle-order — Ajinkya Rahane (40), Rohit Sharma (38), Shikhar Dhawan (41) too looked in good touch as they spent some time at the crease before retiring.
Overnight batsmen Kohli and Rahane batted for just eight overs in the morning before retiring to give other a shot at some practice. Kohli had eight boundaries in his 78-ball innings, while Rahane scored three fours in his 58-ball stay.
Rohit and Shikhar then forged an 80-run partnership in 16 overs before retiring.
It was a good outing for Rohit, who was rested after the Champions trophy, as the Mumbaikar scored at a brisk pace and his 49-ball innings had a four and two sixes. Shikhar, who is also competing for the opening slot, was fluent as he blasted seven boundaries in his 48-ball innings today.
Wicketkeeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha (36 not out) and all-rounder Hardik Pandya (13) then took the crease after the 54th over but three overs later, the latter was dismissed by T Kaushal with Kithuruwan Vithanage taking the catch. Pandya was the fourth Indian batsman to be dismissed.
Ravindra Jadeja, who scored a 32-ball 18 studded with two fours, too was stumped by Weerakkody off Kaushal’s bowling to become only the second batsman to be dismissed today. Wriddhiman’s 40-ball innings was laced with two hits to the fence.
Kaushal ended the day with figures of 14-0-81-2. Vishwa Fernando (2/37) and Vikum Sanjaya (1/64) were the other wicket-takers for Sri Lanka Board President XI.
Earlier, Indian spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja ran through the opposition before opener Lokesh Rahul made a solid return from a serious shoulder injury with a fifty in his first competitive fixture in four months.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka Board President’s XI 187 vs India 312-9 in 68 overs (Virat Kohli 53; Vishwa Fernando 2/37).
