The "management" of Kumble's shoulder

Anil Kumble is not bowling a lot in the nets, but that is with a good reason. He makes an interesting sight at most of the practice sessions that the Indians have had on this tour. Physio Andrew Leipus is inseparable from Kumble, going through the various shoulder exercise drills, step by step, load by load, and rope by rope, as it were.

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So it was at Port Elizabeth this week, in the lead-up to the disastrous game against Kenya at St.George's Park. For over two hours, Kumble attended to his right shoulder, which kept him out of the game for a year and still needs a close watch. There are - flexi-drills, which Kumble undergoes to confirm that his shoulder has not turned stiff from the sudden load of bowling; a monstrous ball of iron, which can only be palmed and not gripped; and ropes which, when tied to the fencing in the nets, allow him to stretch his shoulders and strengthen the muscles.

It is quite fascinating, and the process gives one an insight into how much science and how many experts are needed to see a top international sportsman through his moments of crisis. Correct technique is absolutely paramount for those who are looking for an injury-free, prolonged career in the spotlight.

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Leipus, who has burnt his fingers on many occasions with his easy comments on players, is more wary these days. His hands are full following the injuries that Indian cricketers have sustained in recent times, and he is also keeping a watch on the undefined contours his own career as Indian team physio is acquiring. Both Kumble and Leipus look at journalists with trepidation, seemingly wondering whether it is just one more news item to them and if some are not already planning a story on a recurrence of the shoulder crisis for the marvellous match-winner.

Cricketers, like every one of us, are protective towards their career and quick to take offence if criticism of their injuries, perceived or real, is mounted in public. Kumble recounts an interesting story. It seems that, during the pre-tour days, when he was feeling his way back into the Indian team, he didn't bowl in one of the innings of a practice game.

"One fine morning, I received a call from a regional cricket writer from the East who wanted to know how serious my injury was. Not whether I was injured or not, but how serious this latest recurrence of the shoulder injury was. When I protested at this assumption, he said that the story was already out in a local newspaper!"

Kumble, when asked if his shoulder after sore at the exertions of bowling in matches these days, replies "No" with an edge to his voice. Leipus states that they are actually trying to manage Kumble's shoulder for the rest of the series.

"Basically, we are keen to ensure the right management of his right shoulder," says Leipus, adding that Kumble is returning to top-class cricket after a lengthy lay-off, and the effort is to ensure that the workload would not cause any disruption to his, and the team's, chances.

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Rookie wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta, meanwhile, is still waiting to work out the extensive repertoire of Kumble's bowling. He has had little chance of practicing in the nets because of Kumble's precautions with his shoulder. He says that he is still waiting to witness the Kumble class. "Actually, I have never kept to Kumble before, never in my life," states the pleasant youngster from Bengal. "Whatever opportunities I have are in the middle." Kumble's elder brother Dinesh, who was seen in the first one-day international at Johannesburg in the press box, can no longer be seen on the tour. Kumble informs us that he is still on the tour but only in Johannesburg at present. Apparently, the computer-savvy brothers are trying to further their market for the software they develop.

The leg-spinner provides interesting insights into his shoulder injury and how leg-spinners, with their unnatural shoulder action, are apt to injure it more than others. A classic case is Shane Warne and how frequently, of late, he has had trouble with his shoulder. In Kumble's case, there must also be further strain because of his high bowling action and the pace at which he bowls. That he has lasted for a decade, and not done too badly, with around 550 international wickets, speaks of the discipline that he has pursued throughout his career.

At presently, he has two motivations: to last for the entire tour's duration, and to take a bagful of wickets for the Indians, who desperately want the leggie to be at his best. This is his third tour of South Africa and he knows that, in this country, he needs to up his performance significantly. Kumble has learned to live with the criticism that he is half as successful on good wickets abroad as he is back home. But, having spent a year in the wilderness, he has had time to reflect on his craft and think of the dimensions that he could add to it.

Hopefully, Kumble will not only last the tour, but also provide enough evidence, by dint of wickets, that his new theories have been put to practice. Successfully.

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