The Hindu : Sport : Anil Kumble — a player for all seasons

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Saturday, Dec 23, 2006
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Anil Kumble — a player for all seasons

S. Dinakar

He can strike even on a pitch with a greenish tinage because of his control

Durban: Anil Kumble went round the wicket and Ashwell Prince settled into his stance. The left-hander's eyes soon lit up. He was just a stroke away from a hundred and here was a deliciously flighted, full length ball. The batsman aimed for the vacant area over mid-wicket.

Prince soon heard the sound of death — the rattling of the timber. He had played all over the ball. The batsman had been beaten as much by the slight drift as the change of angle brought about by the use of the crease and the variation of trajectory. The leg-spinning ace had outthought another batsman.

Running hot

The pacemen were running hot at the Wanderers, but Kumble typically contributed significantly to a historic Test triumph. Three of his five wickets in the Test were secured on a tense first session of the fourth day; he handles pressure better than most.

Kumble has on occasions been labelled a champion only on crumbling surfaces. This is a harsh comment that does little justice to this great craftsman.

While the leg-spinner is the match-winner supreme on Indian wickets, he has also lifted the country's performances away from home.

"He (Kumble) is such a threat anywhere, because he alters his length so well. He never allows the batsman to find his rhythm. And when you change your length, you change your pace as well," said the former Australian off-spinner Ashley Mallett.

India's victory over England at Leeds, 2002, enabled the side to square the series. This is a venue where swing and seam rule. Simply put, Headingley is a paceman's domain.

In such conditions, Kumble's three for 93 and four for 66, were laudable efforts.

Kumble can strike even on a pitch with a greenish tinge, or under a cloud cover, simply because of his control. The runs are never easily given away and the pressure mounts on the batsmen. Then, the subtle variations come into play.

In fact, the batsmen are under so much stress while facing Kumble that they often perish to the bowler at the other end. This is precisely why Kumble can combine so well with the pacemen. His leg-breaks, googlies and top-spinners have left scars on the batsmen's minds even down under.

India won a Test in Australia after 23 years. Not surprisingly, Kumble was in thick of action. His five for 154 in the first innings at Adelaide prevented Australia from batting India out of the match. Ajit Agarkar was the wrecker-in-chief in the second innings, but Kumble castled dangerman Adam Gilchrist.

The leg-spinner, as at the Wandeders, relished the bounce of the Australian wickets; his high arm action is his ally there. And Kumble nearly bowled India to a series triumph at Sydney.

India travelled to Pakistan in 2004 for a momentous campaign. Kumble returned to international cricket from a shoulder injury. And there were no tour games ahead of the first Test in Multan.

The leg-spinner slipped into a groove straightaway. The tour of Pakistan had signalled the end of several Indian great spinners. Not Kumble's.

His six for 72 in the second innings on a pitch that held no devils fetched India its maiden Test triumph on Pakistan soil. In the decider at Rawalpindi, Kumble scalped four in the second innings, including the in-form Mohammed Yousuf (then Yousuf Youhana). The Pakistan batsman, beaten in the air, scooped an attempted drive back. India had clinched its first series in Pakistan.

Decisive spell

With his aggression, skill and the heart for the big games, Kumble continues to be India's sword arm. He was at his best in the second innings of the final and decisive Test at Kingston this year, slicing through the West Indian line-up, with six for 78 in the second innings.

India had triumphed in a Test series in the Caribbean after 36 years. And now comes Kumble's display in Johannesburg.

Kumble is a survivor and a winner, both home and away.

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