There's a zing to my career now, says Anil Kumble

[DesiChap]

There’s a zing to my career now, says Anil Kumble - India’s newest Test captain spells out his agenda LOKENDRA PRATAP SAHIA TELEGRAPH SPECIAL Anil Kumble

Calcutta: “I don’t carry a hype... I’m (just) pretty clinical,†is how Anil ‘Jumbo’ Kumble assessed himself during a one-on-one with The Telegraph. That was at the Pearl Continental in Lahore, some 22 months ago, on the eve of the last Test series versus Pakistan. Now, of course, the hype has begun to build around him — whether Kumble, who values privacy, likes it or not. Early on Friday, a few hours after his appointment as India’s newest Test captain, he spoke exclusively from his residence in Bangalore. The following are excerpts Q Having announced you were ready to captain, were you tense for much of Thursday? A(Laughs) It was Diwali for us and, in the evening especially, I was busy with the kids... It was time for crackers and stuff like that... Of course, I was conscious that the selectors would be taking a decision... The captaincy was definitely there at the back of my mind. Who gave you the good news? I got a call from the selectors... (Venkatapathi) Raju and Dilip (Vengsarkar)... They didn’t say much, though. Your first reaction? Felt proud... I’m the 30th Test captain and the list has so many distinguished names... It was a proud moment when I got the call and I see the captaincy as the crowning glory... For 17 years, I’ve served Indian cricket to the best of my ability and I’ve now got the chance to serve in a different capacity. How did the family celebrate? It was so late at night and I kept getting calls... There was no time to actually do something... My wife and I intend taking the kids out today (Friday)... I suppose there will be some kind of celebration. You’re 37, an age by when most cricketers have called it a day. So, are you now going to be that much more motivated? The captaincy has, indeed, come as a shot in the arm... There’s a zing to my career now... As in the past, I’ll put my best foot forward and help Indian cricket get the results it deserves... We do need to move forward... But aren’t you disappointed that the captaincy has come so late? (Laughs again) Well, better late than never... I got many calls even before the selectors had made their decision and everybody said I deserved to be captain. That touched me and I hope to live up to their and my expectations. Our cricket has a rich history, has tradition and I’m happy with the new role. Still, are you somewhat apprehensive that the split captaincy (Mahendra Singh Dhoni is captain in ODIs and the Twenty20 format) could lead to confusion/uncertainty in the dressing room? No way... I believe Dhoni and I are going to complement each other... Wouldn’t you have been happier had the appointment also been for the four-Test series in Australia? As you know, I take one thing at a time... Never look too far ahead... I’m only thinking of the upcoming three Tests. Have you looked up to any one captain? I’ve tried to take bits and pieces from the captains I’ve played under and against, but I’d like to do things my way... Perhaps, do things a bit differently... Sure, I’ve admired a few captains, but I’d rather not make that public. What’s the type of captain you’d like to be? One who ensures that his players are prepared in the best possible manner and one who allows them to play their natural game... I want that 100 per cent from every player, that’s it... (After a pause) Besides consistency, I’m looking forward to building a team ethic. Today, what’s your biggest challenge or priority No. 1? Having been around for 17 years, I know what’s required to be done... We’ve got to go forward and that can be achieved by being consistent. Personally, I’m at my best when I’m really intense and would like a high level of intensity from the team as well... The Test series isn’t far away and the matches are back-to-back, so there’s little time to think too much. Your debut will be at the Kotla... (Interrupting) Oh, the Kotla has always been special... I scored a hundred at the U-19 level, then I made my India comeback (1992-93 tour of South Africa) after doing well in the Irani Trophy there... I’ve also got 10 wickets in a Test innings (10 for 74 and match figures of 14 for 149 versus Pakistan, in 1999)... It really is a special ground and I’m happy that my debut as Test captain is going to be there. How do you rate Pakistan? Very highly... A quality side and they seem to do particularly well in India. I have respect for the visitors and realise we’ve got a tough Test series on our hands. Is there a message for the players? Not really... I know some have been playing without a break... The ones who’ve had a break need to quickly get back into groove. Anything for the fans, who tend to react in extremes? They’ve been quite supportive and affectionate... I’d like them to continue showing affection and backing us. Will you at least be there for the last ODI, in Jaipur? Right now, I’m not sure... But, yes, I’m looking forward to interacting with the selectors, getting to know what they have in mind... Within a day or two, I expect to hear from the Board. The last one: Having scored an unbeaten 110 in your last Test (Brit Oval), are you going to promote yourself? (Laughs once more) No... No... I’d rather that the specialist batsmen got hundreds! Moving up in the batting order isn’t on my agenda.

[varun]

Good interview. It would be very interesting to see what kinda captain he turns out to be. Being a bowler, I'd expect him to be a bit more aggressive in his field settings.

[fineleg]

Anil Kumble and the Zing thing [googlevideo]-7154013207906898310[/googlevideo]

[bharat297]

Good interview. It would be very interesting to see what kinda captain he turns out to be. Being a bowler, I'd expect him to be a bit more aggressive in his field settings.

Generally speaking bowling captains are prepared to be a bit more aggressive than batting captains.

[Dooks]

He should have been the captain after Ganguly - Dravid was totally wrong event hough he is my favourite player. RD is/was/will not be captaincy material. By making him a captain - we lost our walll. Hopefully, he will be back to his normal self. Good on Mister Kumble. Always liked him - hope he does well. I think he will.

[Chandan]

Generally speaking bowling captains are prepared to be a bit more aggressive than batting captains.

Pollock was a very defensive, conventional and predictable captain, if I remember correctly. Any other bowler who has been an aggressive captain?

[apocalypse]

Pollock was a very defensive, conventional and predictable captain, if I remember correctly. Any other bowler who has been an aggressive captain?

Wasim Akram

[Dravid]

hope jumbo does well :

[Cricketics]

Any other bowler who has been an aggressive captain?

imran khan Courtney Walsh

[Ram]

By far the most aggressive captain i have seen - Shane Warne.

[Chandan]

Wasim Akram

Umm.. don't think so. He was aggressive only when his team was on top. Had you seen Aus-Pak series in '99 in Australia. I had seen it. He had the best bowling attack. Yet, I couldn't see the aggression in his captaincy because the batting kept on flopping. The only time they seemed a bit on top was Hobart test where he gave the Aussies a target of 369 to chase in the 4 th inning. He started aggressively but as Aussies grit it out, he fell off and became defensive. I don't quite remember his captaincy at Chennai test in '99.

[Guest HariSampath]

Good interview. It would be very interesting to see what kinda captain he turns out to be. Being a bowler, I'd expect him to be a bit more aggressive in his field settings.

Yeah, good interview...... hey what about the interview I did on behalf of ICF, and posted immediately yesterday.......see this...:yay: *********************************************** I just spoke again to Anil, fortunately as he was home for lunch, I could speak in some detail. He is very happy naturally at being made captain. When I asked him if it were not better that he should have been appointed for the next 2-3 series , he said it doesn't worry him as he anyway takes it one series at a time, and this way it is in a sense better incentive for him to lead India to a home win. He said that we are very much the favourites , and says "all three" when I ask him which grounds he fancies India's test chances against Pakistan :-), but added on a serious note that he would be looking carefully at the first Test at Delhi, and also India had done well against Pakistan there. I reminded him how I had missed seeing the 99 Delhi test when he got a perfect 10 as I was flying to Sfisco , and as usual he underplayed his own remarkable bowling ( Anil is not simply modest publicly, he is seriously so even while conversing privately, Thats what I like about him). I also told him that he should seriously consider promoting himself in the batting order without feeling reticent about his own batting or the fact he is now skipper and shouldn't hesitate because of that. He is perfectly okay with it, and very confident of himself as a test allrounder. He did agree with me that in some circumstances it may give India the additional bowling option, and he said he wouldn't hesitate to go in with 3 spinners too , or an additional seamer. I asked him specifically about talking to Indian fans on ICF, and in principle he agreed He said that BCCI has not yet communicated officially to him about his program for the next couple of days and he doesn't know when he may have to travel and participate in selection/team discussions for the tests, but told me that he will certainly participate in some form with ICF before the test series, and had asked me to email him details and he will let me know in a couple of days time. So here we go folks !! I have already got Anil's initial comments for ICF, and also a prospective chance of chatting with him soon on ICF :two_thumbs_up: ************************************** I got all the same points ( some more too) and even some kind of assurance that he will have a few words with ICF online here :D The thing to be noted over the past 2 days is, that Kumble's elevation has been welcomed by almost everyone, across the board, whether his fans or not...and for once his selection has given the selection committee and BCCI itself a good pat on the back, a rarity.. Go Anil !!!!

[varun]

Thanks Hari, I made that a new thread.

[Guest HariSampath]

*bump* This one is for ICFrs today ! :yay: I think some ICFrs may remember that between November last year to January , I had spoken to Anil about ICF , emailed him a few times, particularly during the time Sehwag was not selected initially for Aussie tour. Anil had spoken to me 2 times when I had specifically asked him for some comments for ICF. Later due to media contractual obligations and their terms, he was able to give any interviews to private websites. But Anil knows well about ICF, and I hope to speak with him sometime later this season . In fact he did ask me to come to Bangalore for the 3rd test against Pakistan, but I couldnt make it to Bangalore. It was he who actually told me that Sehwag was going to be in the team for Aussie tour, which I even made an ICF bet at 10-1 odds here . :giggle: I am happy and proud to have known Anil Kumble ; and I hope we do get to chat with him here on ICF. Great show Anil !!! :two_thumbs_up: Many thanks from all of us here on Indian Cricket Fans :hatsoff: