Cap'n Jumbo

So Anil Kumble is the new captain of the Indian test team. For what its worth, I had suggested earlier on this blog that this be the call made by the selectors. The two worries I expressed in that post still hold true: that Kumble will bowl himself a bit too much, and that his on-field hectoring of players will turn some players off comprehensively. Kumble has been viewed by many of India's captains in the past as being the only strike bowler (most disappointingly at Sydney in the 2003-2004 series, when some imaginative bowling changes might have helped India pick up more wickets); it would be a surprise if this view has not been internalized by Kumble himself. But its a view he'll have to change if he is to nurture India's budding pace attack. And Kumble will need to change his constant yelling and scowling at fielders that don't come up to his standards. Those sorts of reprimands work in the dressing room, not out on the field. I've always found this to be least likeable part of his personality, especially when its pretty clear that Kumble isn't a great fielder himself - some humility would go a long way here. It might surprise some people, but for me this remains the biggest worry: that Kumble's authoritarian streak will be a divisive factor.

But for all of that, Kumble has a good cricketing brain, and he fights hard, qualities which should stand him in good stead against both Pakistan and Australia (the selectors in their infinite wisdom have decided to make Kumble for just one series). Dhoni might yet become test captain of India down the line, and this would have been a good baptism by fire for him, but its not the worst thing in the world that he acquire some more experience before taking over. Kumble will be leading a team that will include three former test captains: Dravid, Tendulkar and Ganguly, and Dhoni, the current ODI captain. There'll be plenty of advice handed out on the field, but Kumble should be able to deal with it all. Good luck with it all.

Oh, and by the way, I found Sanjay Manjrekar's suggestion (made twice) that Kumble be made captain as a "gift" or a "reward" for his service to the Indian team over the years, completely ludicrous. This is the test captaincy, not a Lifetime Achievement Award.