Anil Kumble has worn the cloak of captaincy with great dignity and effortless ease during his short little reign so far. The 37-year-old hasn’t allowed the cares of one of the most high-profile jobs in the country to unduly worry him. If anything, he has utilised the opportunity to rejuvenate himself and find a second wind. Unwittingly, the head honchos of Indian cricket have hit upon a magic formula.
Saturday morning, weather permitting, will be an emotional moment for Kumble. For the first time since he wore India colours more than 17 summers back, the leg-spinner will walk out for the toss in a Test match at his home ground, a venue where he played all his early cricket.
The Chinnaswamy stadium is dear to Kumble’s heart, as you would expect. At various levels, with both bat and, more tellingly, the ball, he has had great success, along the way bringing up significant milestones as well. Martin Crowe was his 100th Test victim in 1995, Matthew Hoggard was number 300 in late 2001 and in 2004, Simon Katich went down in the history books as the Bangalorean’s 400th Test wicket.
But more than the records and the numbers, which are impressive enough, it will be the pride of leading his country out in a Test match at a ground where he took his first steps as a quality cricketer that will give Kumble the greatest satisfaction.
“It's very special, coming to Bangalore as the Indian captain,” said Kumble, on the eve of the final Test against Pakistan. “I've always enjoyed playing here. I think I've spent more time in the last 20-25 years of my life on this ground than at home, so it's very special.”
Special it will be not just for the man himself, but his immediate family and vast circle of friends, well-wishers and admirers, who will all vouch for the fact that despite his great successes, Kumble has essentially remained untouched by the trappings of fame.
“To go out there tomorrow morning for the toss -- it will be pretty emotional in front of my home crowd,” Kumble acknowledged, then added for emphasis, “It will be a very special moment.”
And so it should, too. Karnataka has produced several outstanding cricketers who have represented the country with great distinction, but Kumble is just the third from the State, after Gundappa Viswanath and Rahul Dravid, to go on to lead India. Neither Viswanath nor Dravid was fortunate enough to captain in a Test match at the Chinnaswamy stadium, so Kumble will be opening another exclusive club of one, come Saturday!
One of Kumble’s greatest assets has been his ability to look at victory and defeat squarely in the face, being magnanimous in his triumphs and gracious when things haven’t quite gone his way. Through adulation and adoration, as well as through carping and criticism, he has seldom allowed his focus to waver. His determination has forever been steadfast, and somehow, remarkably, he has managed to keep the fire burning through various trials and tribulations.
He will have a lump in his throat when he first crosses the white line, and perhaps a little unshed tear when he spins the coin. Once the toss is over and done with, though, emotion and sentiment will make way for cold-blooded logic. After all, there is a Test match on the line, a series to be won.
Amidst the air of expectancy and despite the gloom resulting from inclement weather, Kumble has managed to stay not just positive, but cheerful as well.
Asked about the supposed captaincy uncertainty in the Pakistani ranks, he merely smiled. “I am going out for the toss, I know that for sure,” he quipped. And so he will, too!
