November 04, 2008

Need he go to Nagpur?

I’m still hung up on Anil Kumble. And I didn’t even play with him.

How does Rahul Dravid feel? What about Sachin Tendulkar? Do they feel Kumble’s the one that got away – while they go to Nagpur, to prove themselves one more time?

Appears Kumble will be in Nagpur too, for Saurav’s farewell and Laxman’s 100th. Even if he isn’t, his zoom lens will.

Sunil Gavaskar says, of course he should go to Nagpur. This is his team. That was said on an emotional Sunday. Is this still Kumble’s team, Sunny Bhai?

Anyone with even a vague sense of Kumble will know that he wants to be there for the boys.

But, let’s detach ourselves from Kumble the karamyogi. Let’s get down to down ‘n dirty team sport. Can a team belong to two captains?

No one I’ve spoken to in the media knows if Kumble stayed on in Mohali (after his first day announcement that ruled him out) – and no sir, there isn’t an Indian cricket media manager we can call to confirm this one way or the other.

So unless Kumble was at his invisible best, masterminding the Mohali victory, the credit should go to Dhoni’s team.

One if Bhajji’s toe heals, will be the same to play in Nagpur.

So, what is Kumble’s role in Nagpur? Unless he’s going to be the media manager; quite frankly the Indian team won’t find a better man than him.

But apart from that, aren’t those felicitations distraction enough?

Or is Kumble going to sign some gentlemen’s pact with Ponting?

So, one captain can play in the spirit of the game. And the other in the flesh.

Or is Nagpur a necessity – one that will provide much needed closure for Kumble after his rushed retirement at Kotla?

Only Kumble knows.

24 comments:

straight point said...

they say so many sweet nothings at sch moment...so i let pass smg's remarks...

it will be interesting to know in what capacity he is going there...if he is gong there as invited 'guest' or on his own i have no problem with it...he is free and has the right to go anywhere he wants...

my only problem with his going there is if he will be sitting in dressing room of his proximity to that...

of all the good things...india has job in her had to close out this series either with win (preferable) or with draw...

and distraction of any sort is the last thing we want...

straight point said...

pls read 'or his proximity' instead...

Gaurav Sethi said...

exactly, dressing room is a big no no; even if he's in as a 2nd (spin)bowling coach - too soon to swap roles from capatin to coach?

i'd like to see him do a little stint in the com box, that would be some coup.

The facilitations are 1st day evening, what bad timing.

John said...

Really terrible. These are distractions galore. Kumble should definitely not be in the dressing room. That'd cramp Dhoni's style.

Gaurav Sethi said...

If Kumble on his shoulders couldn't, doubt anything else can cramp Dhoni's... :)

but indian cricket likes to do the right thing (like playing Mishra, resting Bhajji) and finally it may be Kumble's call to go and come as he pleases.

Anonymous said...

hey Gaurav, Ak wont be there as skipper but just a guest or say a honorary member on his way out....I dont think he is any more going to affect team's thinking or with MSD...

chill

RS said...

Without Gavaskar's and media questions, Kumble would have probably gone on the final day for the felicitations - poor guy - if he doesn't go he will be labelled as having as fallout and if he does it will be interference.

Gaurav Sethi said...

buzzz, can see AK making the most of the trip, clicking away, putting his feet up, hanging out at RD's in-laws

Gaurav Sethi said...

rs, got a point there, tho appears some felicitations are on the first day itself.

if the game's not gng our way, they should set stage and have some more of those f'tations.
Mishra's 3rd test, Bhajji's comeback, GG's ban, do you need a reason?

Q said...

He started off the series as captain and would have played the Nagpur test had he not injured himself. So I think its only fair that he is at Nagpur despite having retired which he did a test earlier only cos of the injury.

In fact I would say that when Dhoni lifts the trophy (did anyone say Ind hasn't won the series?) he should probably call kumble and lift it with him.

Now that would be a true changing of the guard.

The bigger question though is, will Dravid announce his at Nagpur?

Anonymous said...

I thought he said he may not be there with the team but will be there to see off Ganguly.

Unknown said...

if he sits in the dressing with his usual scowl (especially when mishy gets a wicket), that might inspire the team, as it did in mohali.

sraghuna said...

Any kind of ceremonial visit to Nagpur really doesn't behove a player of Jumbo's stature. The last thing that he could wish on himself is to become a vaccilating retiree.Closure means getting on with his post cricket life with as much dignity as during his playing days! Any dithering would result in consumption of a large slice of 'k'umble pie!

Gaurav Sethi said...

Q - that's a noble thought, msd n ak sharing the trophy. all you know he'll have jumbo accept it, and lift the two of them up. (if and when).

afraid that's a much smaller question in indian cricket.

Gaurav Sethi said...

scorpi - it's all vague as hell. see of ganguly, where?

Gaurav Sethi said...

sumit - can see no love lost between u and jumbo

aussie 2nd innings, delhi, wonder why he didn't open along with Mishra - would've been a significant gesture.

Gaurav Sethi said...

Haha sraghuna!

Anonymous said...

For the felicitation ceremony

Anil Singh said...

NC this is how we react to adieus.

Kumble is indeed a worthy guy, and he deseves all the praise and pithy stuff.

But we the people of India, tend to praise people when they leave office or the world.

When the cricketing world was celebrating Mr Bradman's centenary birthday. A noted journalist found the native place of the legend very quite. he later knew that the although the place boasts of a park and a museum named after the great, people of the place are not not particularly fond of Mr Bradman. Why ! ...as, when alive he used to complain too much about the noises neighborhood children made while playing.

We complain too, although we seem to be under amnesia bout when we attend farewell and funerals.

Anil Singh said...

Nice Point raised NC

Gaurav Sethi said...

Certainly scorpi.

btw
Kumble was spotted in the dressing room in his khakis. Sachin was on the verge of his 40th, and Rahul on the verge of laughing. Rare sightings both.

Gaurav Sethi said...

nifty anecdote AB!

Anil Singh said...

Lowering stocks need corrective measures NC :)

Gaurav Sethi said...

Kumble Nagpur Update: Jumbo admits in his HT column that he was first taken (and stirred!) to the Board President's Box. Felt much better, once he was in the dressing room, later.

He left after Dada fell, might return on the 5th Day.