'Better late than never'
Anil Kumble was named India's captain for the three-Test series against Pakistan. He spoke to Cricinfo on what is would be like to lead the side at the age of 37 and what he expects from the squad
Nagraj Gollapudi
08-Nov-2007
Soon after he was named India's captain for the three-Test series against Pakistan, Anil Kumble spoke to Cricinfo on what it would be like to lead the side at the age of 37 and what he expects from his team-mates
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How much does being the Test captain matter to you?
It's a great honour to be looked at as the Test captain, as the Indian cricket captain, and join an elite list of Indian cricketers.
It's a great honour to be looked at as the Test captain, as the Indian cricket captain, and join an elite list of Indian cricketers.
Ajit Wadekar said it's the ultimate job. How do you see it?
Every cricketer dreams of becoming the captain. [For me] it has come at a time which some people might say is late, but from my point of view it's better late than never. It's a great motivation for me.
Every cricketer dreams of becoming the captain. [For me] it has come at a time which some people might say is late, but from my point of view it's better late than never. It's a great motivation for me.
Did it come as a surprise to you?
I came pretty close [to being named captain] a couple of times in the past when I was the vice-captain. So it wasn't so much of a surprise.
I came pretty close [to being named captain] a couple of times in the past when I was the vice-captain. So it wasn't so much of a surprise.
You pointed out the age factor. Despite your experience there was a feeling that age would be against you. Did that ever bother you?
Even if I hadn't become the captain, I wouldn't have really worried. But having been given the responsibility and the faith, I need to ensure that I live up to those expectations and ensure that the team rallies around me. I'm confident that we'll be able to do that.
Even if I hadn't become the captain, I wouldn't have really worried. But having been given the responsibility and the faith, I need to ensure that I live up to those expectations and ensure that the team rallies around me. I'm confident that we'll be able to do that.
Talking about expectations, India returned home from England having won the Test series 1-0. So will it be a big challenge to carry forward the momentum?
We've done well in Test cricket in the last three to four years and I need to ensure that we reach the next level, and to begin with, we need to do well against Pakistan.
We've done well in Test cricket in the last three to four years and I need to ensure that we reach the next level, and to begin with, we need to do well against Pakistan.
What is the one thing that as captain you would expect from your squad?
To be consistent and to go out there and ensure that we are positive, without having any fear.
To be consistent and to go out there and ensure that we are positive, without having any fear.
How much will it help having Mahendra Singh Dhoni keep wickets, since he is the one-day captain?
He has shown a lot of maturity in the time he has been an international captain in the Twenty20 format and now the one-day side. It's a great asset to have somebody like him behind the stumps - even when he was just the wicketkeeper and I was just a bowler we used to communicate clearly. That's something I always check with the wicketkeeper. Now it's not just going to be that. It's going to be discussing strategies and a whole lot of other issues. We'll definitely complement each other.
He has shown a lot of maturity in the time he has been an international captain in the Twenty20 format and now the one-day side. It's a great asset to have somebody like him behind the stumps - even when he was just the wicketkeeper and I was just a bowler we used to communicate clearly. That's something I always check with the wicketkeeper. Now it's not just going to be that. It's going to be discussing strategies and a whole lot of other issues. We'll definitely complement each other.
Sanjay Manjrekar said on Cricinfo that captaincy would be the perfect gift for the man who has given such great service to Indian cricket.
Like I said earlier, it's a great honour to have been given that respect by the selection committee, by the people who really matter, and by those who have supported me throughout my career - those who thought I was capable of leading the Indian team and who gave their support whenever my name cropped up. Although I have come to the end of my career, I would like to thank each one of them, and I'm sure I'll get a lot of support from my team-mates and I will do my best to support them in return.
Like I said earlier, it's a great honour to have been given that respect by the selection committee, by the people who really matter, and by those who have supported me throughout my career - those who thought I was capable of leading the Indian team and who gave their support whenever my name cropped up. Although I have come to the end of my career, I would like to thank each one of them, and I'm sure I'll get a lot of support from my team-mates and I will do my best to support them in return.
Nagraj Gollapudi is an assistant editor at Cricinfo