Young guns come to Dhoni’s aid, as usual

From the time Anil Kumble stepped on the field today, it was clear he wasn’t feeling fully fit.

From the time Anil Kumble stepped on the field today, it was clear he wasn’t feeling fully fit. That meant the ‘feel’ of the Indian team was going to change too — a brand new Test captain, a blow to the spin department, a change in strategy, and a sudden drop in the aggregate Test experience of the side.

Kumble stood forlorn near the pitch while the rest of the team gathered in a huddle before the warm-up. As a last-ditch effort, he went to the nets with physio Paul Close. But after bowling just two balls, he had to move back to where his team mates were busy stretching. A brief discussion with bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and Close, and he gingerly walked back to the dressing room. The Kanpur Test was over for him even before it had started.

Since making his debut in 1990, Kumble has missed just seven Tests at home, but he will perhaps mind missing this one the most. The final game of the series on a turning track that called for three spinners in the XI — this match was something right down his alley. And this wasn’t just another chance to be part of a spin trio, but to lead a team that had one.

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The aftermath was quick. Dhoni, the first wicket-keeper to lead India in Test cricket, was now taking a close look at the pitch. Moments later, the King of Indian cricket’s shorter versions had new clothes on. In a navy blue blazer over his whites, even Dhoni’s swagger had a formal look to it. With the absence of any captaincy contender among the young brigade, this is a sight we might have to get used to in the post-Kumble era.

The fall of the first wicket went in tune with the change at the helm. Nineteen-year-old Piyush Chawla threw the ball up, opener McKenzie danced down the track, misjudged the flight, and skipper Dhoni broke the stumps. Like in Twenty20 and the one-dayers, it was a young helping hand that had bailed Dhoni out in a time of crisis. Chawla had provided a much-needed breakthrough after openers Graeme Smith and McKenzie had had a partnership of 61.

Even at the fag end of the day, when Mark Boucher and the tail-enders were frustrating India, Dhoni threw the ball to another 19-year-old in the squad. Ishant Sharma rocked back Boucher’s stumps and Dhoni had a smile on his face again. And when Ishant had Paul Harris clean bowled with another in-cutter to end the South African innings, it was clear that it were the youngsters who had ensured Dhoni had a memorable first day out as Indian captain.

It has been the kind of day that could see India win this Test and save the series. Once again, Dhoni has got his timing right. If everything works out, he will be seen as the man who helped India negotiate another tough U-turn.