In a move seen as a possible fall out of the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) recent crackdown on conflict of interest, Anil Kumble on Monday stepped down as the chief mentor of IPL franchise Mumbai Indians.
The former India leg-spinner, who has been part of the Mumbai Indians support staff since the 2013 season, decided to put in his papers with immediately effect.
The BCCI, in its Annual General Meeting last month, had decided to flex its muscles on players and administrators who violated the conflict of interest clauses laid down by BCCI president Shashank Manohar. As such, Indian team director Ravi Shastri was removed from the IPL Governing Council and national selector Roger Binny was asked to resign as his son Stuart was part of the Indian team. Moreover, the BCCI had also decided to remove Kumble as the president of the BCCI's technical committee, replacing him with Sourav Ganguly.
Kumble's decided to part ways with Mumbai Indians to "pursue other interests around cricket".
"I sign off with the obvious satisfaction of moulding a set of brilliant individuals to a high performing unit. Over the 3 years, MI met unprecedented success winning the IPL twice and the Champions League once," Kumble said in a statement.
"Mumbai Indians is grateful to Anil Kumble, India's highest wicket taker in both Tests and One-Days for his contribution in strengthening the Mumbai Indians franchisee," the franchise said in a statement.
