Spin Sunset!

By P.Muraleedharan

The word is out: India is no longer a spin-power in the sub-continent. And the cricketing world has already taken notice.

The result of the first test between India and Australia, held at Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore last week, bears ample testimony to the disappointing decline in the abilities of the most potent spin-duo India has ever produced-Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. In the first innings against the Aussies, the slow bowling pair sent down 84 overs, gave away 232 runs…All for just one wicket! In the second innings, things were a little better. Harbhajan picked up two from 27 overs, while an injured Kumble bowled just 8 overs for no wicket.

Remember, this was a cracking wicket, though not exactly tailor-made for ‘spinquest’. True, India lost the toss, which made the Aussies comfortable in the first innings. But, it was obvious that they were shaking in their shoes at the prospect of facing Kumble’s frightfully accurate deliveries and the turbanator’s vicious turn on a cracking pitch. What happened was just the opposite: The seamers, Zaheer Khan and Ishanth Sharma proved to be dangerous while the spinners plied their trade as though they were just filling in as stock bowlers. The tweaker twosome, with 907 wickets between them, playing their 54th test match together, never really troubled the Aussie middle order.

While speaking about Kumble, one tends to remember his towering feats for the nation. The lion-hearted cricketer, arguably, is the best match winning bowler Indian test cricket has ever produced. And this is his only third test when he has gone wicketless. Dilip Vengsarkar has alleged that Kumble hid his injury before the Bangalore test. And Kumble says he got injured while bowling in the first innings at Bangalore. Whichever may be the truth, one thing is clear: In his prime, Kumble would have scythed through such an inexperienced line-up.

As for Bhajji, he has not been doing enough with the ball to merit a place in this Indian team. He has been resting on his laurels for quite a long time. That he batted briiliantly to bridge the gap between the Kangaroos in the first innings is surely worthy of credit. But, he is in the team because of being a bowler, not because of his duels with Andrew Symonds nor due to his batting prowess. With talented youngsters like Amit Mishra and Piyush Chawla knocking at the doors, it is time the selectors took a long, hard look at the spin department.

But, the signs of the approaching sunset was already visible when the Indian duo failed miserably in Sri Lanka to master Muthaih Muralitharan and his disciple Ajantha Mendis. If anybody thought it was just a flash in the pan, Bangalore test is more than enough to make them change their minds.

As Anil said on Wednesday, he should be allowed to go out on his own terms. But, if his career can be prolonged by a couple of years with a few weeks’ rest, shouldn’t we go for that? This is not just the time for sentiments! If need be, the selectors should show the way and make sure that only a fit Kumble would play the second test in Mohali. As for Bhajji, it is time he makes way for a quality spinner!

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