Anil Kumble resigns: Virat Kohli-led India received 'shocking' news only after reaching Caribbean

It seems that news of Anil Kumble stepping down from his post as India coach was as much a surprise for the 'Men in Blue' as it was for the rest of the world.

According to a report in The Indian Express, India’s players only found out about Kumble's resignation when they reached St Lucia, their transit point en route to Trinidad ahead of their tour of West Indies. India will play five ODIs and a single T20 against the Jason Holder-led side beginning on Friday.

India captain Virat Kohli (right) with former India coach Anil Kumble. AP

Team India were travelling to West Indies from England, where they lost the final of the Champions Trophy to arch-rivals Pakistan. The tournament was marred by rumours of a rift between Kumble and captain Virat Kohli.

“It came as a shock. The boys were dazed. There had been talk of him staying back in London to attend the ICC Cricket Committee meeting. We all thought he would join the team before the second ODI on 25 June at Port of Spain,” a source told The Indian Express.

The source added that Kumble’s Twitter statement, where he professed his surprise about Kohli’s reservations about his style, had stirred more anger in the dressing room.

Speaking ahead of India’s opening ODI against West Indies, Kohli also hinted at his disapproval of Kumble’s statement by saying, “Obviously, Anil bhai has expressed his views and he’s taken the decision to step out and we will respect that decision. We have created a culture over the last three-four years that whatever happens in the changing room, we’ve tried to maintain the sanctity of the changing room throughout.”

The latest salvo gives the impression that the last word in the controversy is yet to be heard.