Anil Kumble resigns: 5 biggest wins under Jumbo’s magical stewardship

All the speculations about a rift between Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and ex-head coach Anil Kumble have finally found substance as the latter put down his papers despite being retained for the post for the upcoming West Indies tour.

When Kumble took over as the coach exactly a year ago, it was widely expected that the Indian team would scale new heights under India’s leading wicket-taker in Tests. And that was proved right. Under the Karnataka born bowler’s one-year tenure, India regained no. 1 spot in Tests. Out of the 17 Tests played, India won 12, lost one and drew four.

But a cold war between the two pillars of the team - the coach and the captain - could have posted a threat to India’s rise to top echelons of international cricket which is why either of the two had to ultimately resign.

As Kumble’s super successful stint as India’s head coach comes to an end, here is looking back at 5 biggest victories for the men in blue under Jumbo’s reign.

#1 India’s tour of West Indies

In what was Kumble’s first assignment as the coach, India beat West Indies in the latter’s home 2-0

Kumble’s first series as the head coach was against the West Indies in July where India played four Test matches, winning 2-0. This series will be remembered for many reasons. India recorded their biggest win ever outside Asia in the Antigua Test when they defeated West Indies by an innings and 92 runs.

Virat Kohli registered a double century, Ashwin scored a century and scalped a five-for, and team India looked in safe hands under their new coach. From there on, Kohli and Kumble together formed a match-winning combination in all their following games. However, in what can be called as huge setback for the upcoming fortunes of Indian cricket, the captain coach partnership ended a bit too early.

#2 New Zealand’s tour of India

Ashwin was the wrecker-in-chief when India thrashed New Zealand

India whitewashed New Zealand at home, winning all the three Test matches held at Kanpur, Kolkata and Indore respectively. However, the biggest defeat for the Kiwis came in Indore when India thrashed them by 321 runs.

Ravichandran Ashwin, who was splendid throughout India’s long home season (which also won him the CEAT international cricketer of the year award), ripped through the New Zealand batting line-up, bagging 7/59.

Chasing 475 runs to win the match, the hosts were bundled out for 153. Another reason why this match remains special is because India regained the ICC No. 1 spot Tests.

#3 England’s tour of India

Jadeja was unplayable in the final test

England visited India to play three ODIs, five Tests and three T20s, and out of all the 11 games combined, they managed to win only two games; a T20 and ODI match. India drew one of their five Tests and the biggest win came in the fifth Test at Chennai when the hosts decimated England by an innings and 75 runs.

While the opening game of the series was a hard fought draw, the remainder of the games looked like a cakewalk for India. Throughout, the Indians dominated the Englishmen, winning the second Test by 246 runs, third Test by 8 wickets, fourth Test by an innings and 36 runs, and the last Test by an innings and 75 runs.

In the Chennai Test, England put up 477 on the board after batting first, and in reply, debutant Karun Nair scored a triple ton and KL Rahul mustered 199. Just when it seemed that the match would result in a draw when England managed 103 for no loss, Ravindra Jadeja wreaked havoc as England lost 10 wickets for just 104 runs.

#4 Australia’s tour of India

Kuldeep Yadav made a dream debut

Of all the series at home, it was the India vs Australia Border Gavaskar Trophy that made most headlines, for both India’s heroics as well as the off-field imbroglio surrounding it. Of the four Tests, India won two and drew one, and lost one. But the most riveting of all games was the last one played at Dharamsala which India won by 8 wickets.

Also, the rift between Kumble and Kohli seemed to have started in this game, when chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav was introduced, and apparently Kohli wasn’t happy with that move.

Kuldeep, however, bagged four wickets in the first innings, including those of David Warner and Steve Smith. Australia were restricted to 300 in the first innings, and after that it was complete dominance by India.

#5 India reach the finals of Champions Trophy 2017

Captains of the two finalists pose with the trophy

Defending champions India played some brilliant brand of cricket in the Champions Trophy 2017, but faltered on the day it mattered the most, courtesy of some smart bowling from Pakistan in the finals.

During the group stages, apart from the loss to Sri Lanka, India were magnificent. Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli were consistent performers and Yuvraj also returned to form.

What made India’s journey to the last leg of the tournament more special is that it came when the coach-captain rift was already too strong, and that could have meant India returning home earlier in the tournament.