The highlight of the Test series was the way he handled things in the immediacy of the on-field unpleasantness in Sydney and the three-Test ban on Harbhajan Singh; personally, there was that monumental feat of going past 600 Test wickets, an achievement Kumble told Deccan Herald brought him great pride and joy. Excerpts:
Q: Has the enormity of 600 wickets now sunk in?
A: It has! At that point (in Perth), the only emotion, the only focus was to win the Test match. That was the most important factor although I knew I needed just one wicket to get to 600 before that Test. It was important for me to finish that part so that people don't keep asking me when will 600 happen. Looking back, there is a sense of satisfaction. It has been a long journey. To get to this stage, you have to have a long journey, otherwise it won't happen! I am really glad I have been able to stand up to all those challenges that have come right through my career, on the field and off it. I have been able to enjoy those challenges and come stronger every time. I am really proud of the way things have panned out in the last 17-18 years playing for India.
Q: Do you get the feeling that, finally, you are getting your due?
A: It's a nice feeling to be made the captain of India when I didn't expect it, nor did anyone else. It has certainly helped my cricket. It has come at a time where it was needed for me to keep going. I feel that as a team, we can achieve a lot more. Certainly, that recognititon part has helped me. Having said that, that is not in my hands. I only go out and do my job and I think 600 wickets is something I am really satisfied and proud of. Whether I get the recognition or not, that is something nobody can take away from me. I have never played the game for recognition. I have aways played the right way -- to go out there and do your job honestly and sincerely, being a professional and getting the right results on a consistent basis. If you keep doing that, the rest of it will take care of itself.
Q: Your reaction to comments that India were lucky to have Anil Kumble as captain on this tour...
A: It's a great compliment. I am really happy a lot of people think that way. Maybe people didn't know what kind of a person I was because I was not needed to express my inner thoughts. Probably this role has helped me express myself. I am glad also that the team has responded. At the end of the day, it's important that we had the right results, otherwise this statement probably wouldn't have come my way! I am glad we really fought back after being on the ropes.
Q: Do you see your character rubbing off on the team?
A: It's not my character rubbing off. I would like to convey whatever I feel is in the best interests of the team. I've always believed that the mind needs to be in the right state to perform at this level. It is not just about extra practice. Yes, you need to improve your skills and fitness. But at the same time, if your mind is not positive, no matter how hard you train, it is not going to help.
Q: Was how the team responded some kind of a revelation?
A: Not really a revelation because we have always responded well to crises. Be it players' contract issue in the Champions Trophy (2002), we made it to the final. Be it the World Cup (2003) when things didn't start well -- we ended up being in the final. People didn't give us a chance the last time we toured Australia, we did pretty well. We have done some good things. I understand exactly what needs to be done for us to perform well, and they have responded brilliantly. I am really thankful to all my team-mates for putting up a fantastic show here. Ideally, 2-1 in favour of India would have been perfect, but even 2-all or 1-all would have been good. Unfortunately, that did not happen. But at the same time, I still feel we are heading in the right direction towards becoming a top side in international cricket. We have the quality.
Q: It must have been easy to roll over after the huge loss in Melbourne. How did you rally the team?
A: Yes, it could have been easy, but there is a lot of pride in this team. We know what we are capable of. There have been a couple of series victories abroad against tough opposition, but against tougher opposition, we have won Test matches but not actually series. I have always said if batsmen put runs on the board, we can pressurise the opposition. We relaxed totally from the cricket part of it after losing in Melbourne. It was important to stay positive mentally. After we lost (in four days), everyone expected us to do a five-hour training session the next day. Everybody was actually waiting to go and have a hit, I told them no one will go to the net. I said one hit is not going to make any difference. It is important you get your mind right; for that, you have to go out, think good things, ensure you do everything right to be ready for Sydney. Which is exactly what they did.
Q: You have stressed on the 'Indian' way of playing the game. What is this Indian way?
A: According to me, the Indian way is to ensure we play our brand of cricket, which is not trying to copy somebody or trying to be somebody else that you cannot be. Go out there and play to your natural ability. In terms of aggression, we need to showcase our controlled, disciplined aggression. We are not someone who is an in-your-face kind of a people. It's important to be what you are and be proud of the way you have played your cricket all this time. Just because another team is successful by playing their way doesn't mean that you need to copy their way of playing, which actually doesn't suit you. You might not then perform to the best of your ability because whatever you are trying to do is a put-on. It is important to understand that, not just as an individual but as a unit, collectively, and always believe that there needs to be a clear communication among players, between players and the support staff. When that chain of communcation is clear, we have always done well.
Q: Did the young quicks take you by surprise?
A: To a certain extent, yes, but I wasn't totally surprised. The way they have carried themselves and the way they have responded has been brilliant. Their attitude has never been in question. It's really good to see in spite of not having the experience, they responded fantastically well to put pressure on the Aussies right throughout.
