In happier times: When Anil Kumble did not have a problem with Virat Kohli's aggression

Does a picture say a thousand words? Take a close look at this 2010 photo of Anil Kumble and Virat Kohli at an IPL afterparty — it speaks of a rapport. The two were teammates in the Bangalore IPL team, Royal Challengers, for three years, where it was Kumble who wore the captain’s hat.


Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble in 2010. (Image: Getty Images)

It’s now Kohli who is in the role of the Indian team’s captain. Ahead of the West Indies tour in July 2016, the then newly-appointed coach Kumble had said, “I love his (Kohli’s) aggression. I was no different… I was also aggressive... but I will be the last person to curb someone’s natural instincts.”

Less than a year later, the Kohli- Kumble clash is out in the open, with a well-worded letter of resignation, throwing up several questions.