The morning after being appointed India’s 30th Test skipper Kumble tells DNA that though he may look intense on the field, he brings a relaxed style of functioning.
The morning after being appointed India’s 30th Test skipper Kumble tells DNA that though he may look intense on the field, he brings a relaxed style of functioning
You have had to wait a while before being appointed skipper. How does it feel?
It feels great. It is a very proud moment. I have said in the past that it would be an honour to lead India. I have not had any time to myself since the announcement was made as I have been on the phone most of the time. If you guys give me some time then I would be able to gather some thoughts (laughs).
So were you eagerly awaiting the announcement last night?
Actually, I was following the India versus Pakistan match on television. Yes, the result of the game was not good news. But being made skipper was great news. It was a brilliant day for me. It couldn’t have got better.
You are in your late thirties. Is your new status a shot in the arm?
You can feel free to specify my exact age. I won’t feel old (laughs). Of course, being made the Test skipper is a great motivator. It has come a bit late in my career but it feels good to be given the responsibility. However, I don’t want to talk about what kind of skipper I am as it is too early to talk about it and I will leave it to others to judge me. I can say that I always think positive, be it when I was dropped or when I was out with an injury. Though I may look very intense and probably serious on the field, I have a very relaxed manner of
functioning.
Since Bishen Singh Bedi in the late 70s we have not had a spinner who is a full-time skipper?
It feels good to keep the flag flying after a while. I don’t know why spinners were not considered for captaincy and what the reason for it was. But guess selectors had their reasons. I think a spinner will look at the game a bit differently and I will look at the game with a different angle. But that won’t change the fact that I will try to do the job to the best of my ability and ensure that we produce consistent cricket.
There is a fear a bowler-captain tend to over-bowl or under-bowl himself?
I will be able to find the right balance as far as my bowling is concerned. I don’t think it will be an issue and I will be able to look at the game in the larger perspective. Actually, if I under-bowl myself, I will end up bowling at least 25 overs in Test cricket. That is how much I usually bowl in an innings and if I over-bowl myself I will bowl 30. (laughs).
Starting off against Pakistan at Kotla… An ideal venue and opponents for your debut as Test skipper?
(Feroz Shah) Kotla has been a special ground for me and I have very fond memories. When I was in an under-19 team, I hit a century against Pakistan. That was my first hundred. It is also where I made a comeback and of course a venue where I got 10-wickets in an innings; again against Pakistan.
Of course playing against Pakistan is special and it brings the best out of players. They are a competitive side and it will be a good contest.
How do you look at leading a side that includes one-day skipper MS Dhoni?
It will be a smooth transition between me and Dhoni when it comes to leading the ODI side and the Test side. I have the support of all the players and the respect it mutual. There shouldn’t be any problem. Dhoni and I will complement each other.
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