BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee member and batting legend V.V.S. Laxman Friday said their panel wanted Anil Kumble to continue as India coach but the former captain was bent on quitting after his fallout with skipper Virat Kohli last year.
Reflecting on the tumultuous phase that gripped Indian cricket during last year's Champions Trophy, Laxman said the episode left a "bitter taste in the mouth".
also read
- 25 years of Anil Kumble's 10 wicket-haul: Best bowling figures in Test cricket history
- India vs England Tests: Here's Anil Kumble's prediction
- How to tackle 'improved' Ravindra Jadeja - Anil Kumble's word of advice to batters
- Kumble as coach was considered too much of a disciplinarian: Vinod Rai's book
- BCCI may approach Anil Kumble, V.V.S. Laxman for head coach's post
"I don't think Kohli crossed the line. We at the CAC thought Anil should continue as coach but he thought the right decision was to quit and move ahead. It left a bitter taste in the mouth," Laxman said at a conclave here.
The CAC, comprising Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, picked Kumble as national coach in 2016.
However, the appointment didn't quite work out as Kumble and Kohli's difference of opinions spiralled into a full-blown public fallout which culminated in Kumble stepping down.
The former captain went on to say that his relationship with Kohli had become untenable.
"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,” Laxman said.
"I always tell people CAC are not marriage counsellors. We were tasked with selecting the best possible person for the job. We did a very elaborate process—unfortunately, Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble did not work out," he added.
