In the aftermath of India’s defeat in the World Cup final against Australia, former coach and legendary spinner Anil Kumble expressed his disappointment over the team’s inability to clinch the coveted trophy.
Kumble specifically lamented that star players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli couldn’t lift the World Cup Trophy after Australia’s decisive 6-wicket victory at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Throughout the tournament, senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma showcased exceptional performances, finishing as the top two run-getters with 765 and 597 runs, respectively.
Kumble highlighted the synergy between the two players and expressed sadness at seeing them on the losing side.
“It’s disappointing that they couldn’t secure the trophy in the end. Both players consistently performed for India. Rohit initiated strong starts, and Virat ensured India reached the scores they did,” Kumble said on ESPN Cricinfo.
Despite acknowledging the monumental achievement of Virat Kohli reaching 50 ODI centuries, Kumble emphasized that the ultimate goal for a cricketer is to lift the World Cup trophy.
“Achieving 50 ODI hundreds is a significant feat. However, in the grand scheme of things, none of it really matters unless you have that World Cup trophy in your hands,” he added.
Kumble also acknowledged the challenging role played by head coach Rahul Dravid and expressed his admiration for Dravid’s hard work.
“I would have been thrilled to see him holding the World Cup trophy. He has put in a tremendous amount of effort, and the role of an India coach is no walk in the park. Constantly on the road, with all eyes on you. As for whether he will continue as the head coach, I’m unsure. It all depends on how he wakes up tomorrow morning and makes that decision,” he concluded.