Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram said Indian Test skipper Anil Kumble is past his prime after going wicketless in Bangalore.

By Aman Kapoor

Kumble seems to be in the eye of a storm. Former chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar criticised Kumble for cheating on his injury to play the Bangalore Test and even said he had "under-bowled Virender

Sehwag." On Tuesday, Akram said, Jumbo was no more the threat he used to be.

In what was one of his worst Test performances, Kumble had unusual match figures of 0 for 160 on a Chinnaswamy wicket that turned from Day 2. Akram says, the statistics tell a telling story of a man who is clearly on the decline.

"Yes, Kumble looked out of sorts with his bowling. His bad shoulder in the second innings let him down. I feel if the captain doesn't perform, he has to go and it is only a matter of time before Kumble bows out gracefully. In fact, both the spinners (Harbhajan Singh) looked very average. But for me, Kumble was a huge let down. He never looked like getting a wicket."

Akram added India have nothing to worry about even if Kumble fails to prove his fitness ahead of the Mohali Test, starting October 17.

"If Kumble doesn't play the second Test, there is always room for youngsters to come and take his place. There is no doubt Kumble has a lot of experience, but I think there is always time and space for new blood," Akram said.

Akram backed Haryana's Amit Mishra to be an ideal replacement for Kumble: "If you have picked someone like Mishra, you must give him a chance. And am sure he can utilize the conditions and also turn the ball a mile on Indian wickets."