After Sourav Ganguly’s decision to call it quits, it was the turn of yet another stalwart to hang up his boots.
It was on the cards that Anil Kumble would announce his retirement sooner or later. For, every great player takes pride in his performance, and when the level starts dropping, in his heart he well knows it’s time to call it a day rather than hang in there aimlessly.
Anil has been one of the great soldiers of Indian cricket who has served the game with tremendous commitment, passion and focus. An ideal role model for any youngster to emulate.
Hard work was what he constantly believed in, and he gave it hundred per cent whenever he donned the whites. A great fighter and ever the gentleman, Anil’s attitude was play to win.
But, in doing so, he also ensured that the game was played in true spirit, and never once did he cross that fine line. His greatness lay in the fact that whenever the wicket assisted him, he simply ran through the opposition, and he did so time and again, winning many a match for India single-handedly.
Indeed, he was a downright match-winner in the truest sense, there are no two questions about that. Intelligent and soft spoken, I’m positive he will devote a lot of time to the development of cricket in Karnataka. Well played, Anil!
As for the Test itself, I guess India messed it up with their poor fielding. They were sitting pretty and could have forced a win to wrap up the series after amassing over 600 in less than two days. They couldn’t have asked for a better position to go in for the kill. That, however, was not to be.
In fact, it was the positive mindset of the Australians that livened up proceedings on the last day at the Kotla, despite a draw being on the cards.
I particularly like the way the Aussies play their cricket. Their attitude to press for a result has been so refreshing over the years that it puts the other team on the backfoot, and never mind if the opponent enjoys a 1-0 lead or not.
They try and put maximum pressure on their rivals and that’s the reason why though they’re short of quality bowlers on this tour, they seem to never give up but make it tough for their hosts. The wicket at the Kotla did not offer top quality cricket once the first day was over, when the ball came onto the bat nicely.
Sachin, Gambhir and Laxman, all played great innings. However, DDCA’s curator was quoted as saying that the grass was cut without his knowledge on the eve of the match, making it a lifeless wicket that invariably produces dull cricket, and leaving the curator furious.
Now, whether the BCCI’s pitch committee chairman has the right to interfere in the preparation of the wicket without the knowledge of the local curator is a moot point. In Mumbai, we ensure that nobody interferes in the preparation of the wicket and we leave it to our curator, Sudhir Naik, who dishes out terrific wickets that’s good for the game, the players and the paying spectators too.
Now, after the draw in Delhi, I hope that Nagpur at least provides a better track and that the Test offers some exciting, entertaining fare.