Kotla Test ends in draw; India lead series 1-0

New Delhi: At the end of the day, the result proved to be irrelevant. India and Australia refused to give an inch as the third Test petered to a draw at the Kotla here, but the Test left a lasting impression with Anil Kumble announcing his retirement from international cricket.

Kumble made two astonishing decisions within the space of a few minutes, as India declared their second innings on 208-5 after the Indian captain's decision to quit flashed on TV screens.

The Indian captain bowled four overs in his final spell, not even a reflection on thousands of probing overs he sent down over a glittering 132-Test, 18-year career. Australia's innings wore on for eight overs before the umpires removed the bails as congratulatory exchanges flooded at Kumble's favourite Test venue.

India's declaration left Australia with 245 to chase with a little over an hour left in the final session of play, after VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly put the match beyond Australia's reach with a resolute 63-run sixth wicket stand, keeping their 1-0 lead in the four-Test series intact with the final Test to be played in Nagpur in four days' time.

Cameron White got Sachin Tendulkar out for the second time in the series, but VVS Laxman (59 not out, not dismissed at all in this game), fresh from an unbeaten double hundred in the first essay, and Sourav Ganguly (32 not out), keen to brush aside his failure in the first innings, combined to take India to safety, with their lead having crossed the 200-mark.

Sachin Tendulkar's 47 – he was out for two more to the same bowler for his maiden Test wicket – bore a stark resemblance to his knock in Bangalore. He mixed caution with sporadic doses of aggression for his 120-ball stay, putting on useful stands of 40 with Gautam Gambhir then 52 with Laxman, as India stretched their lead to 229 runs leading into the final session of the game.

Michael Clarke's prediction of only one team trying to force a win was proving to be right until the first session of the final day here. India, resuming on 43-2 after two late strikes on day four, were set back further by wickets from Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson who were aided by appreciable reverse swing on a murky morning at the Kotla.

Though you wouldn't expect Rahul Dravid to fire away, the batsman along with Gautam Gambhir didn't look in any rush to add to India's lead. The ploy to present a dead bat to everything didn't help as Brett Lee sent down a fiercely swinging yorker that crashed into Dravid's stumps after India had added only 13 to their tally.

The arrival of Sachin Tendulkar spruced up the dreary proceedings with his strokeplay, but the fall of Gautam Gambhir again proved to be a stumbling block on harbouring any hopes of speeding up the scoring.

Mitchell Johnson, celebrating his 27th birthday, presented himself first-innings double centurion Gambhir's scalp, after he trapped the left-hander with another swerving in-dipper for 36.

But Laxman and Ganguly were solid in the middle, with the former putting on an exhibition of lucid boundaries while the retiring left-hander picked the gaps on the off-side with usual ease.

The script had it all: Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman laid the platform for a chance of wrapping up the series, before Australia fought back with remarkable as India were left with batting out the rest of the sessions. However, Anil Kumble's last stumping was effected by a wicketkeeper. He did it himself.

Day IV Report

Day III Report

Day II Report

Day I Report

Appoint Kumble as India's spin coach

Mumbai: Former Indian skipper and coach Ajit Wadekar and other former Test players Gundappa Vishwanath and Bhagawat Chandrasekhar feel that India’s highest wicket taker Anil Kumble, who announced his retirement from international cricket, can still contribute to the game if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)utilize his vast experience properly.

"Kumble has been our match winning bowler from the past two decades and the amount of experience he has will benefit youngsters if the BCCI appoints him as the spin coach. You don’t get a bowler who has taken over 600 Test wickets everyday, so his experience counts a lot and will give aspiring spinners a real boost if he can share his experience with them," Wadekar told Cricketnext.com on Monday.

"We have had legendary spinners like Bishen Singh Bedi and Erapalli Prasanna serve as coaches and bowling coaches after their retirements. Even Cricket Australia have utilized Shane Warne’s services in recent times to nurture young spinners so I strongly feel the BCCI should immediately offer him a good post so that many more young spinners can be unearthed for the future," he added.

Former chief selector Gundappa Vishwanath feels Kumble’s retirement could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for BCCI and many state associations’ cricket academies round the country as he can share invaluable tips with up-coming young spinners.

"Kumble should be offered the spin coach’s post immediately so that the many cricket academies affiliated to the board and the state associations can take full benefit of his vast experience. He has tremendous experience and ability. There is absolutely no doubt that he will be of immense value to any team," said Vishwanath.

Former leg spinner B S Chandrasekhar, who has been Kumble’s mentor and role model, wants BCCI to have Kumble as a coach or consultant to spot spin talent in the country.

"I sincerely feel that the BCCI should do with Anil what Cricket Australia did with Warne when he retired, it will be like recognizing his great achievements.

Anil has been the most successful spin bowler in India so far and has done so much for Indian cricket. Now is the right time for him share his vast experience with young spinners," Chandra, who himself has taken 242 Test wickets during his playing days, said.

Captain Kumble calls time on glorious career

New Delhi: Call him humble, selfless, fighter, brave, honest, uncompromising, but Anil Kumble was not quite known for his sense of humour.

As he drew the curtains on a glorious career full of heady highs and unimaginable lows, Kumble, in a manner befitting his unassuming ways, walked in for one last press conference. After laying his reasons for retirement on the table, Kumble, as always, continued to speak about the various facets of his team and team-mates.

And as he summed up his career, he put the team ahead of him even as he spoke of his achievements and criticisms. "Things didn't go my way over the last six months or so individually, but we continued to do well as a team… But I don't regret any moment in my career."

He spoke of great victories and embarrassing defeats in equal measure, reliving moments of a timeless international career, throughout an 18-year career where he was at once written off as a spinner who didn't turn the ball. "I have cherished this cap for 18 years. I know how hard I had to fight to earn this cap. I'm proud to have represented 1 billion people whose expectations keep rising each time you go out there."

A recurring theme during the press conference was the mention of "we". "We have given them sadness, sorrow, but we have also given them happiness."

Almost everything associated with Anil Kumble is timeless, just like his career, like a tradition that began nine years ago at the Ferozeshah Kotla and ended at the same venue. "Today, Sachin took my cap and handed it over to the umpire for one last time. He started doing that in 1999 when I got 10 wickets. Back then he insisted on doing so after the first few instances led me to get a wicket. And it continued. So when he came over to me to take my cap, I said to him, 'One last time'."

Even while recalling his criticisms in his early days, he credited the faith shown by his team-mates. "My team knew what I was capable of." And the fervour with which he recalled his illustrious team-mates evoked nostalgia. "Among the moments I cherish will be my first Test series in 1990 under Azhar, of course the 10-wicket haul and India's victories all over the world."

During the period in which Anil Kumble was establishing a reputation of demolition man, another ageless wonder was shaping up. "I have literally watched every run Sachin has scored, almost all 50,000 of them," he said as the audience chuckled.

The charm about cricket belies Kumble's character. "Individuals get more attention in a team sport like cricket, especially in India." For a team bustling with superstars, Kumble was a calming influence, perhaps keeping them grounded. Commercial success never defined his stature, only his 619 Test wickets did.

Not even when he was dragged into disciplinary hearings, something that was unheard of in his days as a player, but the last 11 months as captain got him backing his mates as relentlessly as he bowled.

Even his immediate plan post retirement centered around some of his illustrious partners in crime. "I won't be travelling with the team to Nagpur, but I will definitely go there to watch Sourav's last Test and Laxman's 100th to wish him well. Our ultimate goal was to win the series, and I would like to be a part of that."

For a man not used to individual attention, Kumble might find himself isolated as retirement sinks in. He would have to put himself before team as he sorts out his schedule for numerous interviews. As he said, he couldn't go through the grinds of Test cricket anymore, but for a man who never changed, never quit, forever probed, finally pulled the plug on his glorious career with an inglorious full toss.

And by the end of the press conference, he was complete.

Anil Kumble's parting words to the media were: "I would like to thank my family, my parents, my brother who encouraged me to bowl leg-spin. Although despite playing for 18 years, I'm still trying to figure out how to bowl leg-spin."

Second Test: Ind vs Aus 2008 : Day 2

Australian cricketer Peter Siddle (L) celebrates with teammates Michael Clarke (C) and Brad Haddin (L) after taking the wicket of unseen Indian batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni during the second day of the second Test match between India and Australia at The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali on October 18, 2008. India were all-out for 469 runs in their first innings.

India vs Australia 2008 test series Second Test: Day 2

Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni plays a shot during the second day of the second Test match between India and Australia at The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali on October 18, 2008. India were all-out for 469 runs in their first innings

India vs Australia 2008 test series - test 2 - day 2

Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly (C) is watched by Australian fielder Matthew Hayden (R) as he hugs teammate Mahendra Singh Dhoni (L) after completing his century during the second day of the second Test match between India and Australia at The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali on October 18, 2008. India are currently 437 runs for the loss of seven wickets.

Ind vs Aus: Day 2 - 4

Mitchell Johnson of Australia appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of Sourav Ganguly during day two of the Second Test match between India and Australia at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium on October 18, 2008 in Mohali, India.

Ind vs Aus: Day 2 - 3

Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly (R) is applauded by Australian fielder Simon Katich as he celebrates after scoring a century during the second day of the second Test match between India and Australia at The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali on October 18, 2008. India are currently 437 runs for the loss of seven wickets.

Ind vs Aus: Day 2 - 2

Indian cricketers Mahendra Singh Dhoni (R) and Sourav Ganguly run between the wickets during the second day of the second Test match between India and Australia at The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali on October 18, 2008. India are currently 401 runs for the loss of six wickets.