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Kumble lauded the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket Australia (CA) for coming together to diffuse the on-field tensions between the two teams
Ever the statesman, without sounding preachy or taking any moral high ground, Team India head coach Anil Kumble backed his players when it came to showing on-field aggression, while adding that they were aware of their responsibility towards the game. Kumble's team won a high-intensity Test match in Bengaluru to level the ongoing series against Australia, even as tempers flared and players got engaged in on-field sledging. Indian skipper Virat Kohli all but accused his Australian counterpart Steve Smith of flouting the rules of the game.
Team India got a mini break of sorts post the Bengaluru Test, each one heading home for a small Holi break to unwind and rest. The hosts assembled in Ranchi on Tuesday morning, two days ahead of the Third Test to be played in Ranchi. The visiting Australians also took a welcome break, some making a short trip with their families to Goa while others stayed back in Bengaluru—playing golf and unwinding.
Kumble lauded the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket Australia (CA) for coming together to diffuse the on-field tensions between the two teams. “The important thing was to bring the focus back to the game. I am very glad that BCCI took a very mature call with CA, issuing a joint statement. Cricket needs to go on. We have moved on from whatever happened in Bangalore. We made a fantastic comeback after losing the first Test match.”
Kumble, however, saw no reason for Team India players to be told to curb their natural aggressive instincts—especially skipper Kohli who has been criticised by Australian media for being too aggressive. He revealed that he didn't say much to his players as they were aware that the focus should remain on the game.
“We don't look to curb any natural instincts of players as long as they go out there and do what they have to do. Every player has his own way of having a game face. This is a very important series; both teams will come down hard. We believe that we are custodians of the game. Its key stakeholders are the players who understand their responsibility.”
While not singling out any one performance so far, he praised the team for a collective effort and intent in making a comeback in the series. However, the bowling unit merited a special mention. “We all saw what Ashwin can do. Jadeja is also bowling well. The two fast bowlers bowled so well that day two was fantastic. Only 190 runs were scored and we picked up six wickets.”
"But the intensity and the control with which all four bowlers bowled—especially fast bowlers—on that surface was brilliant. It showed a lot of character. That is what we want to see in the team," said Kumble.
On medium pacer Umesh Yadav's evolution as a key part of the Indian bowling unit, Kumble said, “He doesn't have the kind of Test wickets that you would expect in home season—he has played literally all the Test matches. Every time he bowls, he looks like he is about to pick up five wickets—eventhough he may not have got them. That is the kind of maturity and improvement Umesh has shown. He has contributed; whenever he has come on to bowl, he has got us the breakthroughs.”
The Decision Review System and the pitch have been the constant focus of attention since the series took off. In Ranchi too, focus has been on the wicket and how it will play out in the Test match. The Australian media has attacked Kohli for being “given three wickets to chose one from” for the Test match and accused him of getting the wickets doctored to suit his slow bowlers. Kumble brushed it aside, saying, “This talk is by the media, not by us. We are only playing cricket.”
