I respect Sourav both as a teammate and as an opponent. He is fiercely competitive and a capable captain, says Kumble.

By Kashinath Bhattacharjee

It’s a tale of mutual respect. A tale of two hardcore fighters. Together they brought laurels for the country. Now they are ready to roar against each other.

The stage at the Eden Gardens, home of Sourav Ganguly, is set. In their first match, they had to play against the champions of the last year and in their second they will be facing the runner-up team.

For Anil Kumble’s Bangalore, though, it will be the first match of the Indian T20 series in 2010. And he was in no mood to agree to the billing of “Kumble vs Sourav” match.

“This is not Sourav versus me. This is a match between Bangalore and Kolkata over the span of 40 overs and it’s going to be a great one, I suppose. Cricket is a team sport and individuals do not fight against each other here.”

However, there are more similarities between these two former captains of India. Both of them decided to call it a day all of a sudden during the home series against Australia in 2007. And both will have to rethink about their contract to the teams in the Indian T20 series after this edition.

Kumble said, “I am yet to play the first match of the tournament. And it’s a long one. So, it’s better to ask me this question in the later part of the tournament.”

Sourav, too, will have to think over it and in all probability; he would give it a chance again the next year.
Kumble’s Bangalore took a sharp turn last year after he was chosen as the leader to replace Kevin Pietersen, while Sourav was given back the captaincy this year after a lackluster performance last year in South Africa under Brendon McCullum.

“It’s nice to start the tournament as captain of the side. I am looking forward to the challenge. Yes, there are expectations and we are confident of putting up a good show. Hopefully we would go one step up this time”, said Kumble, referring to the runner-up finish last year.

The most successful Indian spinner in the history of Test cricket was more than happy to be back what he loved most – playing cricket. “I really enjoy coming back to cricket. It does not seem to me that I have left the game. I played the Champions League and then again this tournament for which I have been preparing for the last one month. Numerically speaking, if we go full length of the tournament, I have to bowl a maximum of 64 overs and that too, within a span of 45 days. Now, that’s probably easier for a bowler who used to bowl the same number of overs in a single game!”

Eden still relishes his performance of 6/12 in the Hero Cup Final. “It feels nice when someone reminds me of that. But that’s a thing of distant past. I want to achieve new things even now for my team. That’s a challenge that motivates me.”

And what is the key to win T20 matches? “It’s a tough game where one ball or over can change the course of the game. It’s an always happening game and you need to be on the button always.  But the beauty of the format is, you have to get the basics right even here, to win matches. That’s what cricket is. The format may be different, but you have to play the game keeping simple basics in the mind.” Kumble said.

That is why, a Sourav Ganguly or an Anil Kumble is still more ‘valuable’ in this format of the game than many other exciting talents. These two ooze confidence, deal in hard work and never want to leave the field defeated. So, when they meet on Sunday, they would greet each other before the toss, but be sure, they will leave no stone unturned to make other’s life as difficult as possible.

Kolkata vs Bangalore: Head to head
 
Played: 4

Won by Kolkata: 2

Won by Bangalore: 2

Winning %: 50% for each team