Anil Kumble rubbishes claims of leaking information to journalists over WhatsApp

Kumble quit as a coach of the side after the Champions Trophy 2017.

Kumble resigned as India coach citing 'untenable’ relationship with Kohli | Getty

Former India coach Anil Kumble has put all sorts of speculations to rest concerning his alleged involvement in creating a Whatsapp group with journalists to leak the dressing room information.

Kumble, till recently the coach of the side, resigned after the Champions Trophy 2017 over differences with skipper Virat Kohli. The 47-year-old had released a statement saying that his relationship with the captain had become ‘untenable’.

However, on Saturday (December 16), when Kumble was presented with the Coach of the Year award at the ACT annual Sports Writers Association of Bangalore (SWAB) awards, the former coach chose to break his silence. India’s highest wicket-taker in Tests and ODIs took a subtle dig at those who spread the rumour about WhatsApp group, by making an apologetic statement to the journalists.

“Sorry to all journalists for not putting you all in my WhatsApp group,” Kumble said at the award function.

Earlier, a senior BCCI official had anonymously told DNA, “We’ve been told that there is a WhatsApp group created by Kumble of his few trusted media friends and few confidential talks between him and senior players were leaked through that.”

While accepting the award, Kumble also said that the current lot of Indian players have it in them to turn things around in South Africa and in the subsequent overseas assignments next year.

“I’m confident that the team which we have will certainly go on to create history in South Africa and then beyond. That’s the confidence I have, and I’m sure the team under Virat certainly has the capabilities to achieve that and continue all the good work they have been doing,” said Kumble.

India will face South Africa in three-match Test series from January 13 at Newlands, Cape Town. The series will be followed by six ODIs and three T20Is.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 18 Dec, 2017

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