Kumble leaves Murali, Bhajji behind

Colombo: England and New Zealand apart, the non-subcontinental Test nations have the sort of spin depth that is the envy of even Australia these days.

For the first time in almost two decades, the Aussies are struggling to find someone who can fill the role left vacant by Shane Warne. So far those tried have not impressed and one, Stuart MacGill, has already retired.

Yet, as Sri Lanka challenge India in the first of the Idea Cup Test series four of the game's top spinners have been given opinion poll ratings on CricketNext website that shows how India's captain, Anil Kumble edges Muttiah Muralitharan while Harbhajan Singh and new so-called wonder boy Ajantha Mendis well behind.

India

Kumble is the 'Professor'. Quiet and studious, he always gives the impression that had he taken up chess, he would have been a grand master to rival the Russians. He impressed in his first Test series against South Africa in 1992/93 Friendship Series and has been a continual source of inspiration since.

He may not be everyone's idea of the perfect leg-spinner, but if you know anything about leg-spin, it is easy to understand why. He has his own style and as such, India need to acknowledge just how good this man is.

John Wright had felt that in an emergency, Kumble was the ideal man to be Test captain. His deep thinking and strategies worked well. Always a competitor, like Sachin Tendulkar, he was not on the 2001 tour through injury. His presence on the field and advice is invaluable and likely to give the more trouble than they would care to admit.

Bhajji may often be out of step with opponents but it is because he is a competitor. He is not afraid to voice an opinion and occasionally oversteps the boundaries. Yet as a competitive bowler there are few more challenging players in the Indian side.

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