Had Anil Kumble captained India more, he would've broken a lot of records: Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir’s international career spanned for over 13 years and during this period, he played under some of India’s finest captains. The likes of Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble led India over the years before Virat Kohli took over and is leading at the moment. Gambhir made his debut under Ganguly and won two World Cups – in 2007 and 2011 – with Dhoni leading the Indian team.

However, the former India opener has picked Anil Kumble as the best ever captain he played under. The legendary leg-spinner was appointed at the helm in November 2007 after Dravid stepped down. Dhoni was the ODI and T20I skipper then and it was deemed too early to for him hand over the leadership of the purest form of the game.

Kumble, in the final stages of his career, led India in 14 Tests before retiring during the home series against Australia after sustaining a finger injury. “Yes MS Dhoni in records point of view, right up there but yes, for me the best captain I’ve played under is Anil Kumble,” Gambhir said while speaking in Star Sports’ Cricket Connected.

Kumble didn’t captain India for long, says Gautam Gambhir

Moreover, Gautam Gambhir played only six Tests under him but seems to have enjoyed Kumble’s leadership more. The left-hander also claimed that the latter would’ve broken records had he led the team for longer period of time.

“Sourav (Ganguly) has done really well. One captain that I would have definitely wanted to captain India for a long time is Anil Kumble. I played six Test matches under him probably; he didn’t captain India for that long. Had he captained India for a long time, he would have broken a lot of records,” Gambhir added.

Many feel Anil Kumble got the leadership duties for India very late when he deserved it much earlier. Rather it was only in the 17th year of his illustrious career that one of the best leg-spinner of his playing days was appointed a full-time captain. And he didn’t disappoint leading to victory in three Tests while drawing five of them besides losing six.