Home stretch

The third Test did not produce the result that was expected when the Australians began their first innings trailing by 613 runs. The Indians got a get-out-of-jail card to explain their inability to prise out the Aussies when they lost Anil Kumble for most of the third day to a finger injury. But even a "healthy" Kumble, bowling the way he has been of late, would not have been able to do much more. A wise man is one who can feel the wind change direction, a wiser man is one who can see the change and adjust his sails accordingly. Anil Kumble showed that he belonged to the latter group by announcing his retirement.

Kumble waited until a draw had been ensured before making the announcement public and it injected some vigor into the proceedings that owed VVS Laxman a favor for what little life there was at that point. Serenely motoring along in the second innings, Laxman did not even remotely look like getting out and was prevented from padding his stats when Kumble declared with about 24 overs to go. I did not realize how dense the TV commentators were until they started talking about India declaring in order to try to get a psychological advantage by prising out an Australian wicket or two before the Test was done. Didn't they understand that Kumble was being given his moment to say goodbye? While I am not privy to any private conversation or to having any knowledge of the man, I am pretty sure that the decision to declare, so he could have a few overs to himself on the field, was a team one. (Anil Kumble has toiled away for almost two decades, always looking out for the team's interests. An hour's worth of self-indulgence to end his career appeared out of line, given his nature).

But, either way, come out he did, to open the bowling attack and send down a few overs that had enough nostalgic appeal to remind us of what was going away for good. When he bowled his last ball, I was more emotionally affected than I would have thought I'd be. After taking his presence in the team for granted all these years, it felt strange to bid him adieu.

Compliments and salutations have poured in from all over and I shall devote another post to just that.

For now, the lines have been drawn and India will go into Nagpur looking to seal a series victory. I hope they go in trying to win. Three of the 4 possible results - win, draw or tie - will get them the trophy. If they eliminate a win from the equation, then they will be playing into the hands of the Aussies. When your opponent is staggering, it is best to deliver a knockout punch. Jabbing away at their body in order to win by a decision only invites trouble.

Only five more days of Test cricket remain in this absorbing match-up. Don't you wish it could have been a 5 Test series?