Cricket: Anil Kumble appointed India Test captain


Rediff 

MUMBAI, Nov 8:  Leg-spinner Anil Kumble was appointed India's Test captain on Thursday. He succeeds Rahul Dravid who quit the post in September after the tour of England, citing personal reasons.

The 37-year-old will lead the team in the home series against Pakistan, starting on November 22, after the selectors preferred him to wicketkeeper and one-day captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

"It's a great honour to lead India. I am looking forward to the challenge," Kumble told CNN-IBN.

Kumble, who retired from One-Day cricket after the 2007 World Cup, is India's 30th Test captain since the country played its first Test in 1932. He earlier captained India in an ODI against England in 2002.

He is also the leading wicket taker in Tests for India with 566 dismissals and third in the list of leading wicket takers in Test cricket.

On Tuesday, Sachin Tendulkar declined to lead the team in Tests, saying the BCCI should look for younger players.

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Anees, Shirva/Kuwait

    Mon, Nov 12 2007

    I think this is the honour given to the great player to given his best to indian cricket. I wish him best of luck to shut the mouth of his critics.

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  • Uday D. Shetty, Karkala/Sharjah, U.A.E

    Sun, Nov 11 2007

    With his vast experience in the cricket, and of his gentle nature, I am sure Anil is going to deliver the goods. He is really Class player, we wish him all the best.

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  • Monalica Rao, Bantwal

    Sat, Nov 10 2007

    It is good to have Anil as Indian captain. There is lot of politics involved in Indian cricket for sure. Lets hope Anil does well as a captain and we dont have this debate running for long.

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  • charles, dubai

    Sat, Nov 10 2007

    if not kumble whom you would prefer. well even i don't agree kumble a right choice, but there is no one left to the job, Dada is there but the board don't want him to the job, so its corrupt so don't ever write comments here again.

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  • Louis Fernandes, Belthangady

    Sat, Nov 10 2007

    It pains to see that cricket makes front page news in a country facing far bigger challenges & problems. Most of the Indians follow cricket as a religion and players as God. We have taken cricket to a whole new level beyond sports- and it’s not healthy for a potential country like ours. It’s high time for India's populace to promote other sports as well and take some of the spotlight away from cricket.

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  • Joe Britto, Nakre/Bangalore

    Sat, Nov 10 2007

    Anil Kumble appointment as Captain was quite expected, especially since he is really non controversial and a perfect team man. His performance has been the best against the strongest teams and he has always fared well against Pakistan an Australia.  Who can forget his bowling deeds in the Windies when he fractured his jaw, but still came on to bowl !If one were to analyse his batting figures in tests in the last 10 matches, it would not be surprising if it is around 40. Never one to give up and a game trier always. A simple , unassuming man and being colourless person has unfortunately a lot of critics who have not at all understood his intrinsic value. All the best Anil, we are sure you will bring laurels to the team !!

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  • joachim vaz, Mangalore jeppu

    Sat, Nov 10 2007

    keep it up & WISHING SUCCESS IN YUR NEW ASSIGNMENT all the best

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  • Malet Crasto, Trasi-Kundapur, Abu Dhabi

    Fri, Nov 09 2007

    It's nice to hear that finally the master spinner got some recognition during the dawn of his career..... he has the experience of leading Karnataka Team in several occassions. All The Best Kumble.

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  • denzil fernandes, dubai

    Fri, Nov 09 2007

    Anil Kumble - good cricketer but bad choice as India captain. If Anil Kumble was made the Indian cricket captain a few years ago, I would have been the first to congratulate the BCCI ors. But, today, the BCCI ors have taken one big step backward by nominating an ageing Kumble as the Indian captain for the forthcoming test matches. In fact, I am surprised that Kumble who should be counting the number of days left for him to play for India has been pitchforked to lead India.

    There is no doubt he will insist on having his statemate and ex captain Rahul Dravid in the side so that he can lean on him for some support and guidance. The ors should have shown their support to Dhoni and picked him for the position. From all accounts, Dhoni has shown a clear liking for the job and he would have managed with a bit of help from the past captains in the side. Having said that, one must emphasise that Kumble is a terrific team man who can give his all even when he is half fit. But he is no more a spring chicken and it is time that he gave way for our younger spinners who are waiting in the wings.

    One can only wish good luck to Kumble and hope that his players rally to give him all the support which he will need badly. One is not sure how he will cope up with the younger lot who will be more comfortable with someone like Dhoni. Kumble is almost a veteran and one of the finest bowlers of our times can only take this honour of leading India simply as a token of acknowledging his past deed on the cricket field for the country. Good luck Kumble !

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  • Nelson Lewis, Karkala/Bombay/Kingdom of Bahrain

    Fri, Nov 09 2007

    My hearty congratulations to Anil Kumble for being appointed the captain for the test series against Pakistan. I wish him all the best and hope he wins the test series, so that he is appointed captain for the future series also.

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