Passing the baton to Dhoni
Mahendra Singh Dhoni may have done enough in his two Tests as captain to prove that he's the right man to take over the job full time, but the man he will have to thank for shaping the team is Anil Kumble, writes Anand Vasu in the Hindustan Times
Kanishkaa Balachandran
25-Feb-2013
Mahendra Singh Dhoni may have done enough in his two Tests as captain to prove that he's the right man to take over the job full time, but the man he will have to thank for shaping the team is Anil Kumble, writes Anand Vasu in the Hindustan Times. If Dhoni's brand is synonymous with exuberance and youth, Kumble injected the team with steel, dignity and belief, the focal point being in Australia when allegations of racism flew almost as thick and fast as outside edges.
For once, the Indian captaincy is not a poisoned chalice, this time around, the question of succession has not raised controversy, conflict, challengers, even eyebrows. Other than the sheer joy of lording it over Australia, this Test should always be remembered for this: An Indian captain will not be staying longer than he was popular, and the successor will not have to wait any longer than necessary.
In the same paper, Kumble makes his observations on India's biggest victory in terms of runs. Forced to watch the game from the dressing room, he gushes at Amit Mishra's five-wicket haul on debut and earmarks him as one for the future.
He showed no nerves at all and was absolutely in control from ball one. He used his variations very nicely: The way he came around and bowled a wrong 'un at Clarke showed that he's a thinking cricketer. With an eye to the future, it also augurs well for India that we've found someone like Amit. An orthodox bowler, he spins the ball a lot, uses his flight very nicely and frankly, it was great watching him. I can tell you that this would have given him a lot of confidence. The first five-for I got told me that if I could get one, I could get more.
Kanishkaa Balachandran is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo