Oz series no big deal: Kumble

Subhash Rajta

Tribune News Service

PUNE, FEBRUARY 21

Anil Kumble speaks in a very steady voice. The tone betrays neither any excitement, nor nervousness or confusion. It reflects the calm and clarity he carries within, and he doesn’t allow anything to ruffle that poise.

So it wasn’t surprising when he said that India want to consider Australia “just like any other team” and would “attach no greater significance to the series”. That’s exactly what one would expect from the man who’s known to not hype up a situation or challenge.

But maybe, just maybe, apart from his inherent tendency of not going overboard, there could be other reasons for the India head coach not wanting to attach any special significance to the much-anticipated series. One could be, Australia are no longer the side they used to be during Kumble’s playing days. From the world-beaters they were then, they have become a side that could be beaten occasionally at home and quite frequently away from home. Besides Australia’s vulnerability, especially in the Subcontinent, the terrific run India have had under him might also be a factor in him viewing the series the way he is.

Toss, pitch don’t matter

Once he was done putting the contest against Australia in perspective (his own, of course), next up was the question on pitches, toss and conditions and how they are likely to influence the contest. In the past, before Kumble took over as the head coach, such questions had at times drawn sharp responses from the players as well as the management.

Kumble, however, took it just like any other question — just the way he’s looking at the series. And the answer, too, was pretty much consistent with what has been his general stand on the subject. “One thing we’ve constantly spoken about and tried to be aware of is, what is in our control. The least we discuss about the pitch, and the toss, the better it is,” said Kumble.

The refreshing disregard for the conditions and toss isn’t phoney. It has stemmed from how they have managed to overwhelm the opponents despite losing the toss and conceding runs in excess of 400, how they pulled off fine wins on wickets that refused to turn much even on the last day and on surfaces that offered more swing and seam than spin. “I don’t think many gave India a chance to win the Test in Chennai after England scored almost 500 runs in the first innings; it was similar in Mumbai, where we lost the toss and they put up 400 runs. Yet, we won by an innings. And against New Zealand in Kolkata, where seamers came into picture...” said Kumble.

“That’s the beauty about this team. We had answers to all those questions. That’s what you want from a champion team and that’s exactly what we’re trying to build, and not really worry about the pitch or conditions.”

While Kumble may remain unconcerned about the nature of the wickets, the wickets are likely to turn more against the Australians than they did against the Kiwis and the English. The most clinching reason for that is, the Australians, compared to the other teams that toured India recently, have a lesser spin attack. And the Indian batsmen, after having run up tall scores against the relatively better spinners, would be quite confident facing Nathan Lyon and company even on turning tracks.

The coach, however, is in no mood at the moment to conjecture about what’s supposedly not in their control. He’s happy and content with how his wards have steamrolled the oppositions in the long home run. Also, he sounds quite confident about the team being ready to handle whatever the Aussies manage to throw at it.