From Anil Kumble
There have been some significant off-field developments in the last few days, none more notable than the recall to one-day cricket, and the subsequent retirement from the limited-overs game, of Rahul Dravid.
I was quite surprised to see Rahul’s name in the one-day squad but I am sure Rahul would have been even more surprised! Knowing him, I?don’t think he expected a return to the one-day fold. I think it was implied that Rahul was done as a one-day cricketer because he wasn’t picked for the World Cup, or for other tournaments in the last two years. But suddenly, with the ball swinging and seaming, and bouncing to chin-height, the need for Rahul was felt. This is definitely not the right message, especially to the youngsters.
To me, it is definitely a backward step, despite Yuvraj’s absence through injury. India could have tried out another youngster, and it’s worth remembering that England are not as formidable a one-day side as they are in a Test match. Morever, India are the World champions, and that won’t change over the next four years, no matter what.
Probably, a call to Rahul to check if he was keen to play one-day cricket would have been appropriate, given his pedigree and stature. He is one man who has gone about doing whatever he has been asked to without fuss. He has opened the batting, kept wickets and batted at number five when it suited certain players.
By announcing his retirement, he has definitely made a statement — “Don’t pick me when it suits you.” I?think the desire to be a part of the World Cup must have forced him not to retire from one-day cricket earlier, especially after what had happened in 2007 when he was the captain, though even in his wildest of dreams, he wouldn’t have imagined that he would be recalled under such circumstances.
Before the one-day series begins, however, there is still a lot of cricket left in the Test series. Without Zaheer and Harbhajan, India will certainly be depleted in the bowling. It’s possible that for the first time, India may go in with four fast bowlers for the third Test, especially because Amit Mishra hasn’t done much to help his cause in the warm-up games, but it all depends on the conditions.
As for Zaheer, there is no reason to think this is the end of the road for him, even though he will be out for nearly four months. Yes, he has had his fair share of injuries and it’s never easy coming back. I?can say from experience that the worst part is not the surgery but the rehab, and that the older you are, the longer it takes and harder you have to work. But I?am sure he is motivated enough to come back and do well for the team again.
Given the on-field developments over the tour and the rioting that has now spread to Birmingham, India’s preparation has not been ideal. But I maintain it’s all in the mind. I can’t but help recall the tour of Australia in 2007-08. A lot of things had happened in the second Test in Sydney, but we came back really hard in their conditons in Perth and almost saved the series in Adelaide, and this after losing the first two Tests.
It all boils down to how hungry the Indian team is. This time, they look a little more beaten and worn out from a fatigue perspective but I?think it’s crucial the captain leads the way and ensures that the body language, which has been very patchy so far, is positive. I have always believed that you must never know the state of a match by merely looking at a player’s face. If one can maintain that poise throughout the Test, with the quality India have, they should be able to win. You should be always up for a fight, no matter what — that’s the attitude the Indian team requires.