Australian legend Ian Chappell has backed India skipper Virat Kohli in the controversy that erupted after his fallout with former coach Anil Kumble.

In his column for ESPNCricinfo, Chappell played down the role of a coach in any team, saying "if a coach is to be inflicted on a captain, it should be someone with whom he is comfortable”.

"Kohli didn't have the same harmonious relationship with Anil Kumble that he enjoyed with Ravi Shastri when he was cricket director. The fact that India have now reverted to Shastri as coach prompts the question: 'Why change something that isn't broken?'," he asked.

"If a coach is to be inflicted on a captain then at least it should be someone with whom he's comfortable," he added.

Kumble resigned from the position of Head Coach after the Champions Trophy last month and admitted that his relationship with Kohli had become "untenable".

Kohli, on his part, has not commented on the rift yet.

Image: A file photo of captain Virat Kohli with coach Anil Kumble in the nets

Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Reuters