Became Test captain in 2007 by default: Former Indian spinner Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble

India’s leading wicket-taker in Tests and ODIs, Anil Kumble has said that he took up the captaincy towards the end of his career only because no one else was interested in the job.

"I became captain after playing 17 years for India so probably I became captain by default because nobody else wanted it," said Kumble, who led the Indian Test team for a year after being appointed as the skipper in November 2007.

Speaking at a real estate developers body’s function, the 43-year-old said that Indian cricket was going through a transition period when he took over the reigns in Tests from fellow India and Karnataka teammate Rahul Dravid.

"Rahul Dravid had just given up the captaincy and at that time probably it was too early for MS Dhoni to step in as a Test captain and Sachin (Tendulkar) also did not want it, so they looked around and say ok Anil is the only guy and let's give it to him," he said.

Bowler can’t be a hero

Kumble captained India in 14 Test matches, winning three, losing five and and drawing six. In his first assignment as a captain, he led India to a 1-0 series win over arch-rivals Pakistan at home.

Kumble also said it was tough being a bowler in India.

"As a bowler you are not a hero, you are always backing a hero but you need 20 wickets to win a Test match. In India you pick teams based on pitches, so it's the bowlers who get changed. If it is a turning pitch a fast bowler can't play, and if it is a green pitch, a spinner can't play," he said.

He also felt that his biggest setback in his long 18-year long career was the criticism he received for not being a classical spinner.

Difficult phase of his career

When asked about the jaw injury that he suffered in the West Indies in 2002, he said it was an difficult phase in his career and that he experienced a range of emotions during that time.

"Quite a few emotions were running through my head because I was just coming back from a shoulder injury and I was just coming into the team.

"I played the first Test match and then I was dropped for the second, where Harbhajan played. I was given opportunity in the fourth test match, the decider. I had not played two Test matches so this was like a make or break for me to showcase again not just to the team but to myself saying that I am good enough to play. I am not someone who likes to sit on the sidelines and watch, I would like to be there," he concluded.