Dear Mr.Kumble ... I think its time for you to step down

[Sachinism]

Please Kumble for the sake of Indian cricket, please step down You were given Kotla and you are useless on it

[Sachinism]

I didn't watch the match today Did Sehwag get bowling while Kumble was on the field or was it once Dhoni had taken over?

[Nova]

I didn't watch the match today Did Sehwag get bowling while Kumble was on the field or was it once Dhoni had taken over?

Dhoni didn't have any option but to give Sehwag the bowling coz the 'boring' Kumble was injured and off the field.

[Fontaine]

I didn't watch the match today Did Sehwag get bowling while Kumble was on the field or was it once Dhoni had taken over?

Kumble didn't bowl Sehwag until the last over before lunch and he gave Sehwag a couple of overs after then took him off. It was only when Kumble went off the field afterwards with the injury that we could get back to playing real cricket again and Dhoni brought back Sehwag to get those breakthroughs. It was amazing how different the bowling was without Kumble and the pressure we were able to put on the Australians without him bowling his rubbish.

[CC1981]

Look, its just more than statistical details in Anil's case now. Apart from the fact he has gone for more than 80 odd overs without a test wicket, which is terrible by any standards, and deplorable for someone of Kumble's ability and standing, the more worrying fact is he doesnt look like taking a wicket. He bowled 17 overs in this inngs and didnt trouble any batter at all.....they seemed quite comfortable against him. When you consider the fact that we play with 4 specialist bowlers, and Kumble bowls around 25-30% of the overs in course of a normal test inngs...thats 30 % of the inngs being unproductive for us...so with remaining 70% and 3 bowlers we have to take 20 wkts which means we have to rely on some exceptional 5fers from more than 1 bower in both inngs. It wont happen that often and so we wont be able to force wins, more often than not drawing games we should be winning. I respect Anil enormously..I know Anil and do wish he gets a 5fer or at least a 3 wkts, but I think he is very close to the end, and his lack of performance is very badly affecting his confidence, captaincy and India's prospects for winning.

Sell said. I think people here are forgetting one salient fact about spinners : when they decline, its usually a drastic decline - the numbers may not always reflect this, but IMO circumstances also play part ( eg: Kumble might've taken a wicket or two if our pacers blew the top order apart and kumble got to bowl to tailenders only). Warne was a mighty exception and thats why he is such a champion and we'll see how Murali ends, but IMO, most spinners decline rather suddenly - Bedi, Chandra, Underwood ( if we can call him a spinner), Gibbs, Gupte - they all suddenly became ineffective. Kumble has crossed that line and sooner he realizes and retires, the better for everyone. He may think that his shoulder can be good again and then he will be superb, but IMO, he should atleast step down and prove himself on domestic circuit if he wants it that badly. If kumble really thinks he's got it and its just his shoulder buggering him, he might want to look into stepping down as captain and taking 2-3 months off to let his shoulder fuly heal and then play atleast a few domestic games - An Anil Kumble taking 6-8 wickets per FC game is garanteed a spot in our Test lineup.

[Sachinism]

I didn't watch the match, but I heard Kumble bowled pretty well at times and was unlucky not to get any wickets as were the other bowlers

[vsd2006]

I think that everybody needs to go back and look at the overall retirement stats for Indian Players. Indians NEVER EVER retire on their own, except for one guy: Sunil Manohar Gavaskar, Indian cricketers HAVE to be retired. This is exactly the reason why Lalit Modi introduced the VRS scheme from behind the scene and introduced paid selectors so that they do what the board tells them to do and not act as they wish to as they are accountable for every move now. The selectors are now taking it one at a time with Fab 4, starting with Ganguly. From what it looks like Kumble is next and then Dravid after KP's team leaves.

[CSK Fan]

I think that everybody needs to go back and look at the overall retirement stats for Indian Players. Indians NEVER EVER retire on their own' date=' except for one guy: Sunil Manohar Gavaskar, Indian cricketers HAVE to be retired. This is exactly the reason why Lalit Modi introduced the VRS scheme from behind the scene and introduced paid selectors so that they do what the board tells them to do and not act as they wish to as they are accountable for every move now. The selectors are now taking it one at a time with Fab 4, starting with Ganguly. From what it looks like Kumble is next and then Dravid after KP's team leaves.[/quote'] Thats a BS statement and you know it. Even players from Aus like Steve Waugh was forced to retire. It happens with all teams at all time but only in India do we so called "fans" who like crabs want nothing else but to pull achievers down from their pedestal. Here is a good article on this topic http://cricket.ndtv.com/cricket/ndtvcricket/ausind08/news_story.aspx?ID=COLEN20080068731&keyword=opinion Voluntary Retirement Schemes! Golden Handshake! Honourable Exit! Gracefully Retire! Compromise Deals! Transition Phase! Ageing Seniors! The 'R' Word . Rubbish! This retiring debate arises only when it comes to Indian Cricket. From Newspaper Editors, to Legends of the Game, (deshi and videshi ) just one view emerges - "Indians don't know when to retire." What amazes me - is how almost every single columnist (barring a few independent souls) unthinkingly follows this Pied Piper of a 'retirement' call. Yes, Sourav Ganguly has called it a day, but circumstances (continuous public scrutiny and selective selection standards ) forced him to this decision. Why is Indian Cricket obsessed with 'age' ? We harp on the 'Indian' shelf factor, comparing our 'reluctant to retire' players to the 'knowing when to quit' Aussies; without stopping to think each to their own, and that the Australian Greats who retired - were all well over 36, and had their fair share of loss of form and fitness prior to leaving on a high. Let's deconstruct the currently floating myths: Myth 1: "Indian Players never quit - they have to be pushed out" (Tony Greig)"Indian Cricketers should emulate the Aussies- look how they quit when on top of their game". (Chorus) They do indeed. Waugh..Warne..McGrath..Gilchrist But before rushing ahead to eulogise the Aussies - has anyone stopped to think? To judge fairly? To know the cricketing facts? Fact No 1: 37-38 - is the Average 'Aussie' Retiring Age. Whereas our much-scrutinised 'Seniors' are around the 35-36 mark. So we still have a year to go before pulling out the knives, of retirement. (Only Kumble will be 38 this month). Gilchrist was 37, McGrath 37, Warne 38, Waugh 38 Justin Langer -37. All well past the 'reach 35 and retire' clarion call resounding in Indian Cricket. Fact No 2: All four above, had periods of serious loss of form and fitness prior to retiring on a high, when they were around the great Indian retiring age - of 35. Refresh your memories: McGrath - at 35 was battling both injuries and form, during the 2005 Ashes Series in England. That just before the Champions Trophy in India (2006), the pacer was on trial -and the Australian Selectors were actually thinking of dropping him from the World Cup Squad That 'Pigeon' was given a chance to come back and prove himself - based on his past reputation and for his services to Australian Cricket. And prove himself, he did. Adam Gilchrist:- at 36 - before the 2007 World Cup. A struggling Gilchrist, famously said: "Would have dropped myself long back if I was a Selector" . Similar story with Steve Waugh, whose critics accused him of carrying on for reasons other than cricket. Yes, McGrath, Warne, Gilchrist all retired at the top of their careers, but their country and selectors allowed them to. They did not 'dump' their stalwart cricketers, but backed them to come back. As they did with Matthew Hayden - who is still going strong - literally! The very same Hayden was almost done and dusted, for a year practically - prior to, and during the 2005 Ashes. He was only 35 then - completely out of form, struggling for survival. (Had not got past 70 - in 30 innings and 14 months with a miserable average of 22.50 in the 2005 Ashes Series) As far as I know, there was no hue and cry, specially from Indian cricket columnists for Hayden, McGrath to retire They were 34-35 years old, toiling for runs and wickets- time to go! Nobody said they're 'playing for the wrong reasons'. Or if they did - the duo backed themselves to come back. And then grabbed the 2007 World Cup - literally - to vindicate their class. Myth 2: Cricketers should retire on a high Yes, a fairy-tale finish is what everyone (fans and cricketers alike) would love, but if a cricketer feels he has enough cricket left in him (never mind that others don't see it!) why shouldn't he listen to his innerself? If a great champion has the hunger, the motivation, to keep going, it's entirely up to him to keep on - to quit when his 'body and mind' tells him to quit - not when an Ian, Peter or Tony charges him to. On the other hand, it is up to the Selectors of course - to choose the team and players they think best and to drop any player (regardless of who he is) if it is in the best interests of the team. Note: But the Selectors and Board should have the courtesy to talk to the player they are going to drop, specially if he is a player of great stature - and inform him of their plans - not the VRS type of deals, though! There are abounding instances of non-Indian cricketers not wanting to quit. Darren Gough, Sanath Jayasuriya, Steve Waugh. There is talk of a 'Warne' comeback! Funnily enough, the so-called tough Aussie Board, gave in to a hugely sentimental farewell series to Waugh, McGrath, Warne and Gilchrist. Myth 3: The 'F' Word - Tripled . Fading Fab Five? One bad series (against a tre'mendis' display by Sri Lanka) and everyone rushes to write off our 'Famed Fabulous Five. When Australia lost the 2005 Ashes in England, was there such a concerted cry for a 'Fading Aussie Attack' to quit? For an underperforming 'ageing' Hayden to go? Why is it invariably the 'veteran Indians' who are always under the scanner? Fading? - When only eight months back - they played the cricket of their lives, Down Under Fading? - When the combativeness and hunger is very much there. (Not for the endorsements, as Mr. Boycott would have us believe. Ironically, Allan Border, who was 38 when he called it a day, calls us a 'Dad's Army' - "a very very old Indian side" . Has he stopped to look at his vulnerable team - with 37-year-old Hayden, and 34-to-be Ponting, heading a bunch of '33 and plus' players - Hussey, Stuart Clark, Katich, not to mention the injured 36-year-old McGain. The Captain himself has been struggling for form of late. So what if the Fab Five's was a rare collective failure? They will collect themselves and correct the record - before they call it a day. Why do we always try to bring them down? Instead of priding ourselves on possessing such champions. Instead of saluting them for their staying power, fitness levels, continuing passion for excellence. They must be amused and exasperated, reading the obituaries . When they are ready to quit the cricket field, they will let us know! Why is every cricket observer so quick to jump the gun and pull the trigger? Haven't they been around long enough to know that the 'Time to Quit' predictions only backfire on the soothsayers? In any case, why should we emulate anyone else? Each cricketing country, to its own style of functioning. Allan Border should do well to note this point, before giving advice to our Selectors on how to deal with the 'F' factor Public memory, specially that of Indian Cricket observers, seems quite short. Comparisons are odious, no doubt, but when we do compare - let's be fair. Let's respect ourselves more. Without waiting for approval from outside. Myth 4: "Build for the future" - "Transition Phase " Why not structure the present - and make the most of its golden opportunities? Investing in the future is uncertain business. (look how the world's financial markets are faring!) In any case, cricket itself is a game of glorious fluctuations! If the call is for more youngsters, then why worry about a 'seniorless' vacuum? Other countries are in the same situation as well. By and large, players groom themselves. Of course it helps to have stalwarts in the dressing room. But cricket has a way of throwing up leaders. There is rarely a vacuum. We keep talking of emulating Australia. They don't seem to be 'looking to the future' They think of the present and of winning. They pick their players on a history of performance and attitude, and bring in 'aged' performers as well. If you have a team that you think can go ahead and do well - then go ahead and pick that team - Seniors, Juniors notwithstanding. It makes sense to have your best players around - for this series...and more! Indian Cricket doesn't need any 'bailout plan' when we have our Magical Five to recover with ! Indian Cricket is in safe hands. While we can never have a set, in the same mould as our Fab Five, it is in our cricketing DNA, to produce great players. Unfortunately, with the T-20 mania, and cricket hurtling towards football - the question of building test teams seems a moot point. My one big worry is - will Test cricket survive? But I'll follow my own advice - Why worry about the future? Just enjoy this Test Series. Treat ourselves to our Fantastic Test Five. They seem to reserve their best for Australia. Sure, give youngsters a chance. But if you are going to 'phase out' experience and class - due to a temporary phase of loss of form - succumbing to a frenzied phase of media outcry of 'looking forward', then you are phasing out one of the continuing golden phases of Indian Cricket - and changing it's face - forever

[King Tendulkar]

No doubt he has been very poor. And at his age is probably due for retirement! When will he go then? Will he go himself or be pushed by selectors to go?

[diegovegaz]

it is high time if ppl still think he has some cricket left in him, there is no harm but there sure is a great deal of harm in him being the captain had dhoni been the captain inthe 1st test, he would have gone to the kill to chase those 300 odd runs!!!!!!!

[satishg]

If he is not able to take wickets tom or in the second innings then he has to retire..he is proving to be a stumbling block both as a captain and as a player..i never thought that i wud say this but Anil has become a passenger in the team and he is there only because of his past records..i dont want India to lose the BG trophy because of this man..so pls Anil make way for some other bowler..

[vsd2006]

Nice article. But I am not making a BS statement. Give me 1 player from each country who was forced to retire in the last 10 years. Educate me. Its nice to say all these things, but sports are not just for competing but for winning and solely for winning. It is articles and attitudes like these that brand Indians as losers. People who do not perform should not be playing and if they are so great then why are they still in the game when they are not contributing. Let the winners take over and make us look like the winners that we are. Kumble is not contributing since last 5 test matches, how much more greatness do we "so called fans" have to put up with and for how long?

[cowboysfan]

i never thought kumble had to be forced into retirement-i guess i was wrong.hope he does to the right thing.

[Online]

it is high time if ppl still think he has some cricket left in him, there is no harm but there sure is a great deal of harm in him being the captain had dhoni been the captain inthe 1st test, he would have gone to the kill to chase those 300 odd runs!!!!!!!

and we would have been 1-1 instead of 1-0 I am a big fan of Dhoni, but please be realistic

[flamy]

Fantastic article. But doesn't apply to Kumble as he is just not performing on pitches tailor-made for him. Plus, he is doing more harm with his captaincy rather than his non-bowling.

[flamy]

I wrote a short poem on Kumble... Kumble is boring His captain ship is boring His bowling is boring His fielding is boring Kumble is boring

[MPS 3]

I have been saying this for past 3-4 months. Retire already. Kumble you are ruining your own legacy by dragging on and on like a money chaser. Your country is supposed to come first and you were known as some of the few players who gave it everything for their country but you are changing people's opinions by this.. Retire now! It makes your fans sick.

[Fontaine]

As someone pointed out earlier Kumble was trying to bowl from the rough rather than playing his natural game by defeated the batsmen with guile, changes in pace and bounce. It's a sure sign that he doesn't trust his shoulder to do the job. I have no doubt that being the competitor that he is he will keep on trying even though clearly his shoulder injury is a persistant one. I would much rather see him step down and take a few months off until he's fully recovered and I have no doubt that if he approached it like that the selectors would give him a farewell match or series in the future. But right now, he's simply not the Kumble of old.

[DomainK]

He tried to emotionally blackmail us with that article a few days ago. Dont do that anymore Anil, give way to others.

[Guest HariSampath]

While I agree with every word that is written here on Kumble's "retirement theme....after all he hasn't done anything great last couple of series....well...I just got to wondering if maybe we should apply similar logic to some senior batters ??? If you take one innings away from Ganguly and VVS ( and Dravid...not even that 1 inngs)...and see the facts for what they are...cold bare facts...these guys have been failing repeatedly over several test matches in succession, but here we were all saying " respect for seniors"..."cant judge with one bad series"...." had done great things for India" and all the rest of the statements....but the moment Kumble has a bad series...all knives are out !! Yes, I too think he is at the very end of his career and should go, and knowing Anil a little bit, I tell you , he will surely go gracefully. In fact I can tell confidently he would be playing his last series against England , and he has almost decided to do it as a player. Dhoni will lead against England, its almost decided...and some specifics of the plan are being discussed now between those who matter in these decisions.