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Dubai: Indian captain Anil Kumble has won great praise for his cool and calm approach as a leader. He won laurels for leading India admirably amid the controversies and pressures in Australia recently.
Kumble never allowed the wordy duels or sledging to affect the team. How did he manage to do it?
"I believe cricket can do the talking. It is the best way to counter sledging," said Kumble, who is here to launch the Engineering programmes of the Manipal University as their brand ambassador.
"Word duels have always been there. It is nothing new to cricket or to any sport. I firmly believe that whatever happens on the field should remain on the field. These days the attention from the media is a lot more on players, especially on what they say. I feel cricket should do the talking and nobody else."
Any secret behind his cool and calm approach? "Probably because of the way I have been brought up. Moreover, I have been playing international cricket for the last 17 years," was his matter-of-fact response.
Does he attribute India's victory over Australia to the aggressive approach of the youngsters?
Not going over-board on that, he noted, "This approach is not new to Indian team. It is wrong to say that nearly three or even eight years back we were not aggressive.
"The youngsters are highly skillful and they have done well. Our team has also travelled well in the last four to five years. We have now shown the confidence and skill and executed it perfectly in Australia, especially in the One-day squad."
Monetary gains
Kumble does not fear that the money being showered on these youngsters will take away their focus from the game.
"If you compare the money in cricket to the money available in soccer or rugby or any other professional sport in America, this is nothing. Money in sport is good and I don't think it will affect the youngsters."
"Of course, when you compare cricket with other sports in India, then it is big. Now cricket can be chosen as a career option and this will bring professionalism into the game," added Kumble, who is now focused on beating South Africa in India.
India's Test skipper is now only 59 wickets short to reach the 1,000 wicket mark from both forms of the game. "Frankly I haven't added up my wickets in One-day and Test together. Right now my focus is on winning against South Africa and not reaching a personal milestone," was his candid reply.
Have your say
Do you accept that cricket is still not a rich sport like Soccer and Rugby ? With the increase in money in cricket will people in India opt for cricket as a career option? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com
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