India’s most successful bowler in test match cricket in terms of the no. of wickets, Anil Kumble, says that he just can’t understand why the Indian captains, in the recent times, have been so reluctant to include more than one spinner in the playing XI in overseas test matches.

In the last decade, India, at times, used to go with two spinners whenever they would see a slightly brownish pitch overseas. But, off late, it hasn’t happened at all.

According to Kumble, in the first match of the recently finished test series against Australia, the pitch was tailor made for the bowlers who turn the ball, still, India opted to pick just one spinner and that too, a debutant. Two spinners there could have given India a huge advantage.

Kumble was in conversation with the correspondent of a sports website. When asked why the Indian bowling is not doing well overseas and if it is about quality, the former leg spinner said, “No, I don’t think it’s all about quality. The bowlers that we have got are good enough, but, we have got to monitor them from time to time and see which bowlers are in good rhythm ahead of a particular tour.”

“We have faltered in selection as well. We seem to have made up the mind that whenever we play in Australia or England or South Africa, we will play with three-one combination which is not quite right. If our spinners are capable of fetching us more wickets on those surfaces than our fast bowlers, then, why not go with them. It’s all about getting the opposition dismissed twice. That’s how you are going to win test matches.”

Kumble, in his captaincy, had guided India to famous test win in Perth in 2008.

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