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Indian captain Anil Kumble delivered a severe rebuke to the subcontinental media today, saying the pressure he is being put under makes him feel like he is still in Australia.
Kumble has faced enormous criticism over the past few days from media, former players and pundits across India, including former chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar and former Australian captain Ian Chappell.
The attacks have been on topics ranging from his fitness and his bowling to his captaincy in the field during the first Test in Bangalore.
Several critics pointed out the Indians looked their most dangerous when vice captain Mahendra Dhoni was directing proceedings during Kumble’s absence on the fourth afternoon.
“Over the past few days, given all the media attention I have received before and during the match, with various uncharitable comments on my fitness and retirement and performance as a player and captain, it does seem like I’m back in Australia again,” Kumble wrote in the Hindustan Times today.
“That time … saw me unfortunately having to split my time between playing cricket and handling a host of unnecessary off-field issues, instead of being able to concentrate on playing the game and handling my team.
“I didn’t really expect to have to go through this all over again on my home turf.
“What has also been somewhat unexpected is the way the Indian media seems to have delighted in analysing and sensationalising every little action, remark or gesture.
“I would really appreciate if certain people realise that cricket is not spoken, it’s played and we, the Indian team, are out to play it.”
Kumble’s hurt response to a week of turbulence will be viewed with approval by Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who predicted pre-series the Indian media and public could become one of the tourists’ best weapons against the home side if things did not go to plan.
“That’s what we’re trying to achieve, put their older guys under immense pressure,” he said.
“We know if we do that, and make little things stand out, their whole media over here will just jump on them, especially if they lose an early game.”
There was also some discontent from Kumble on the subject of local first Test post-mortems – most of them generous in their praise of the Australians.
“There’s been this high praise for the way Australia played,” he wrote.
“Well, good for the Aussies, but I have a point to make here: In all the talk of aggressive, champion sides, it might make sense for someone to ask why 83 overs on a fifth day pitch wasn’t enough time to finish the job?”
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