Anil Kumble is in the running for the Coach of the Year award in the inaugural-edition of Indian Sports Honours.
Honours, instituted by the RP-SG Group in association with the foundation of skipper Virat Kohli.
“The BCCI confirms that Anil Kumble has withdrawn his services as the post of the Head Coach for the Senior India Men’s team” said the BCCI in a statement.
Kumble’s decision comes in the wake of reports claiming rifts between him and Kohli. It just two days after India’s embarrassing loss to Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final.
His one year contract expired at the end of the Champions Trophy but option given to travel with the team. The West Indies tour for the limited overs series beginning on Friday.
Kumble, who had an unceremonious exit as India coach after differences with Kohli. He is competing with Bisheshwar Nandi (Gymnastics), Balwan Singh (Kabaddi), Harendra Singh (Hockey) and Vijay Davecha (Golf) for the award.
There are eight categories including sportsman of the year. This has pitted cricketers Cheteshwar Pujara, R Ashwin and Hardik Pandya against each other.
They will fight it out with kabbadi player Pardeep Narwal, Indian football team skipper Sunil Chhetri and hockey star Rupinder Pal Singh.
Former India spinner Bishan Bedi tweeted: “Gratitude has obviously been thrown out of the window by whoever raising ‘revolt’ against India’s giant @anilkumble1074! Loser’s Indian Cricket of course!”
The other categories are Emerging Sportswoman of the year Aditi Ashok (Golf), Ritu Phogat (Wrestling), Smriti Mandhana (Cricket); and Emerging sportsman of the year Harmanpreet Singh (Hockey), Neeraj Chopra (Athletics), Ramkumar Ramanathan (Tennis), Sameer Verma (Badminton) and Vidit Santosh Gujarathi (Chess).