India's batting coach admits Kumble's departure ahead of West Indies tour left a void, but says it has not affected team's performance in any manner
Anil Kumble (right) resigned as India coach on Tuesday due to differences with skipper Virat Kohli. Pic/PTI
Anil Kumble (right) resigned as India coach on Tuesday due to differences with skipper Virat Kohli. Pic/PTI
Batting coach Sanjay Bangar says Anil Kumble's departure as head coach has definitely left a void in the Indian cricket team set-up even though the players are "coping up" well.
ADVERTISEMENT
Kumble, a spinner par excellence and a former India captain, tendered his resignation as chief coach after the Champions Trophy due to "untenable" differences with skipper Virat Kohli. On the eve of the second ODI against the West Indies here, questions related to the Kumble episode were directed at Bangar. "We are professionals and such things are part and parcel of any organisation where changes happen. The support staff and the players have shown a lot of professionalism in compartmentalising the issues and so far we have coped up really well," said Bangar.
Relationship based on trust
Asked what defines the captain-coach relationship, Bangar stressed on trust. "It's not only the coach and the captain, it's also the relationship and trust between the coach and all the players. Basically, it's a work in progress that requires a lot of time to earn the trust of the players.
"Once you do that, the job and the responsibilities of the coach become that much more easy. That is something that I've learnt to work (with). "When you part ways it's never easy. You need to accept that at times such things are going to happen, have happened in the past. But what is of paramount importance is that Indian cricket should keep moving forward and the performances of the team shouldn't really be affected in any manner."
Seniors stepping up
Without a head coach Bangar has his work cut out. "Yes, Anil was doubling up. There were a lot of positive results under him. We all know that the team enjoyed a lot of success. The void, there is definitely a bit of lacuna but the experience that this team possesses — when you have a Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kohli, who've played close to 700 international games, they're doing a lot of work behind the scenes, they are guiding the players."
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
