At a time when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is vigorously wielding the broom to remove all cases of conflict of interest, Anil Kumble has stepped down as the chief mentor of Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians. Kumble is now a full-fledged commentator for BCCI's host broadcasters, STAR Sports.
A media statement from Mumbai Indians said on Monday that Kumble, who was associated with Mumbai Indians since 2013, will step down with "immediate effect" and "pursue other opportunities in sports and cricket."
Kumble, India's highest wicket-taker in both Tests and ODIs, saw good times at Mumbai Indians, a franchise owned by the Ambani family. In his first year as mentor, Mumbai Indians won the IPL and the Champions League in 2013. Mumbai Indians won the IPL once again in 2015.Â
Anil Kumble said, "I sign off with the obvious satisfaction of moulding a set of brilliant individuals to a high performing unit. Over the three years, MI met unprecedented success winning the IPL twice and the Champions League once. Winning both trophies in the same year (2013) being our crowning glory."
The conflict of interest issue has affected several former cricketers-turned-commentators. While Kumble has joined the ranks of Sunil Gavaskar and Sanjay Manjrekar in the media box, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid are missing from action after taking up administrative and coaching assignments, respectively.
While Ganguly is the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Dravid is the coach of the India A and junior teams. Team India director Ravi Shastri is another cricketer who is not seen doing commentary.