Ricky Ponting has said that the disappointing form of his opposing captain Anil Kumble could turn into an issue for India at the selection table. Ricky Ponting's comments may well serve to motivate the Indian skipper. Ponting only has to cast his mind back a week or two when his fallibility in India and batting average of 12.28 were the fulcrum of the pre-series coverage. He went on to post a magnificent century.
On the eve of the second Test match in Mohali, the series is still wide open yet it is Kumble who has borne the brunt of this week's coverage both in India and abroad. He has been criticised for his captaincy and for carrying an injury into the first Test. He has been criticised for being too old. But expect him to take a bagful of wickets, if not on his 38th birthday tomorrow, then at another crucial time during the Test match. The last time Kumble played a Test at this ground he was the man of the match.
It's not too often Kumble has gone wicketless in Tests and the chances of it happening twice in a row are akin to hoping the 'All Blacks' crash to consecutive losses. India have not lost to the Australia for three tests in a row now. A solid contribution from their captain will not only galvanise his team, but given the narrow margins of recent contests, just might tip the momentum India's way decisively. All of the Indian team, and the celebrated Four in particular, recognise the pressure their captain has been under this week and expect them to celebrate extra hard with his every success. It is this unification, this drive, that Ponting has unwittingly handed to the Indians on a silver platter.
Seemingly Ponting intended to add more fuel to the fire and contribute to Kumble's disrupted preparation. But saying a third seamer might be a more penetrative substitution for Kumble betrays a more likely truth: Ponting's Australians fear Kumble. He is a proven match-winner and although he is in the twilight of his career he has publicly declared that he will graciously depart the arena on his own terms. Better then to have let the sleeping giant lie.
Posted by: Brendanvio at October 16, 2008 11:27 AM
I do agree to some extent. You should never upset a great player. He may just play better.
It's now up to Kumble to use this as motvation to prove those doubters wrong. Happy birthday Anil.
Posted by: Piyush at October 16, 2008 12:11 PM
Spot on Mr.Nicholas .. Kumble is a match winner and has proven this again and again .Ponting's comments will definitely motivate the indian skipper to give in his best shot in the next match . By giving such statements Ponting has done harm to his team only and we will see this in the coming days ..
Posted by: Raj Isaac at October 16, 2008 12:49 PM
Wishing the Indian Captain,the very Best.I am sure 17th of October 2008 would be very special for Anil Kumble.The Mohali Test match Win will be his birthday Gift which will be etched in his memory forever.The Australians do not want Kumble to break Shane Warne's record of 708 Test wickets so it is a ploy from the Australians.Kumble is a great captain and has a few years of test cricket still left in him.Wishing Kumble and the Indian Team the Very Best.Good Luck.
Posted by: Amit at October 16, 2008 2:47 PM
Wish u very very Happy Birthday Kumble(jumbo), Hey man u can do it again people forgotten ur 8 wictets against australia just because Tendulkar made 154* but india wants it again Champs doen`t needs prize they produce prizes. Best of luck all the best JUMBO.Mohali awaiting for u. U r 100% cricketer,for india u ll be the best today & always.
Posted by: MickTerry at October 16, 2008 6:24 PM
I totally agree with your piece Nick, couldn't of said it better myself.
Posted by: Vikram at October 16, 2008 8:19 PM
Given Kumble's current form, and the nature of Mohali's pitch, Kumble would be held in high regard if he sits out of the match, and proves that he does not consider himself an automatic selection in the playing XI
Posted by: Lew at October 16, 2008 9:53 PM
I think the Aussies would be more than happy with Kumble continuing to captain the Indian team given his performance as captain in the first test.
Perhaps it is just my different mindset, but I've always felt that a captain should be one of the players who is an automatic selection for the team, but who can get away with a form slump if their captaincy is top notch and the team is still winning games (ala Mark Taylor). Ponting was merely making the point that if you had to drop a bowler it would have to be Kumble, as he has performed the worst of late, and his captaincy really hasn't done much to inspire.
Posted by: KJH at October 16, 2008 11:14 PM
Firstly, Happy B'day to Kumble, but Raj, honestly, the aussies don't care one iota if Kumble gets more wickets than Warne. Not one bit. Most of them wouldn't even know how many wickets he has! Ask and they would say 600-odd. And 616 is a long way from 708 by the way. At an avg of 4.7 wkts/match, does Kumble have another 19-20 tests in him?
Ponting's comments may well motivate Kumble, but he'll have to pass a fitness test first.
If Ponting hadn't scored a run in the first test and had an injury do you not think a salvo would have been fired his way? I think India's seamers are much more of a threat to Aus with their ability to swing (Patel, Khan, RPSingh) the ball.
Posted by: Rusty at October 17, 2008 1:28 AM
Well written piece on the whole. Would have to agree that you can't keep a great player down for too long & Kumble has been a great player, no mistake. I hope he answers his critics & stands up and delivers... however, I fear he might decide to play himself injured to prove this & if he does not perform, the calls to replace him will become all the more louder... Good luck & Happy bday Anil!
Posted by: Ananthasubramanian at October 17, 2008 2:25 AM
I am really happy that you never used "Fab" in your blog. "Celebrated" Four looks better and its a far better word to be used that "Fab" Four. "Fab" Four actually is a misnomer nowadays !!!
Posted by: Sudhi at October 17, 2008 2:42 AM
I think the media and the cricket world suddenly forgot how Kumble got Lara in 2002 Antigua test when he bowled with a broken jaw. As much as everyone looks for the aging stars and superstars in the Indian squad to quit it is very important to take notice of the ability of the youngsters to do well in the longest version of the game. Even Dhoni's average unimpressive in test matches. Sooner or later the stars are going to pack their gear and say good bye. If we have honestly enjoyed their fighting skills and success, we should let them leave on their own terms.
Posted by: Goutham Chakravarthi LS at October 17, 2008 6:28 AM
Agreed. One swallow doesn't make a summer. The 3rd Test is at Delhi, and it's Kumble's backyard. Now that he is not playing hte 2nd Test, it gives him enough time to be ready for the 3rd Test. So. Ponting and Australia beware!
Posted by: Duncan at October 17, 2008 10:19 PM
Nice piece Nick, I agree that Ponting can be a little too quick with his mouth and this has ended him in hot water before and may do so again.
Posted by: CarlHayman at October 18, 2008 10:13 AM
mickterry you sound like a legend. i reckon we should catch up and get on the turpentine
Posted by: Wendell Darks at October 18, 2008 10:53 AM
Nicholas Angel using suttle composure has exposed the fact that Ponting's mouth lacks the same skills as his batting. I am not a fan of Kumkle, I think watching him bowl is as exciting as watching ladies lawn bowls,but I hope he gets Pontings wicket.
Posted by: raj129 at October 19, 2008 5:46 PM
Great script Nicholas. As usual Ponting mouthing off too put more pressure on Kumble and possibly cause a bit of disharmony within the Indian team, inregards to team selections.
Also, I am still not convinced of Pontings greatness on spinning pitches of India - you say, "he went on to post a magnificent century" but I think it was a bit a flat deck nd not so condusive to spin. He is certainly not in the same league as Tendulkar, Inzamam or Lara in these conditions!
Posted by: lal at October 25, 2008 2:34 PM
Ponting should look at his own performances before he criticizes other players/captains. He seems to thrive only when the like of Hayden and Gilchrist got the game into a safe zone already. He played with that luxury throughout his career. Now that he is being tested we'll get to see his real game and character. I'll be happy as long as he is Ishant's bunny. He should go back to basics and see how he can play the genuine unplayable pace of our youngster.
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