Have total respect for Kumble as a cricketer, says Virat Kohli

Port of Spain, June 23 : India skipper Virat Kohli on Thursday asserted that he and the whole team had a huge respect for former head coach Anil Kumble’s achievements as a cricketer.
He, however, did not offer what led to Kumble’s resignation as coach on Tuesday, three days before the start of the limited-overs series in the West Indies.
“It’s his opinion, which I respect. I have total respect for him as a cricketer and what he has achieved [for the] nation, all the years that he has played. There’s no taking away that aspect of him at all. And we all respect him totally,” said Kohli on the eve of the first ODI of the five-match series against West Indies.
“It’s [Kumble’s resignation] something that has happened right after the [Champions Trophy] tournament. One thing for sure is that I have had 11 press conferences that have happened during the Champions Trophy. We have created a culture over the last three-four years that whatever happens in the change room, we’ve tried to maintain the sanctity of the change room throughout.” “That is what the whole team believes in. For us that is paramount. I’ve always respected that and we have continued to maintain that as well,” he added. The 28-year-old did not offer anything more on the issue, saying the “sanctity of the dressing room” had to be maintained.