The Indian cricket selectors have chosen an easy way out by appointing Anil Kumble as captain for the forthcoming series against Pakistan. It is as well that they have made it clear that the job is only temporary though, there is a possibility that Kumble may be asked to lead the team in Australia also. Kumble is a tried hand and has been vice-captain to Sachin Tendulkar in his days. But circumstances are different now. India has recently discovered a younger man for the job and is trying him out in the twenty-20 and ODIs. It is but natural that he should be given the responsibility of leading the Test team.

There are, however, reasons for not handing over the Test team to MS Dhoni. He is yet on trial and though he was come out with flying colours in the twenty 20 World Cup, his mettle has yet to be tested fully in the ODIs. He probably will mature after a couple of tours abroad. That is the thinking among the selectors and they seem to have the backing of some former stars now active behind the scene.

Kumble may be a solution to the immediate problem but one wonders if he will be the right choice to take the team to Australia. Being captain he will be automatic choice in the team. And that brings us to the question of the other spinners, Harbhajan Singh and Murali Kartik, in the present scenario. Both are bowling well, Kartik in particular showing tremendous improvement after his stint in County cricket.

Unless India are pressed to go into the field with three spinners- an unlikely contingency, there is every possibility of either Kartik or Harbhajan having to sit out. Of the two the man to warm the bench would most likely be Kartik. That would be unfair. Thus Kumble's elevation to captaincy will have its own problems but as things stand, there is no other way out for the selectors.

In a way Kumble's promotion is a risky proposition. This is not to doubt his prowess as a bowler but his record abroad, except against one series against Australia and perhaps the tour of England recently, is not very encouraging. Like the team he is to lead, Kumble has essentially excelled in home ambience. His successes abroad have been few. But then someone has to lead India and why not the most amiable and No 1 gentleman of the team.

And now we come to the man who caused all the problems. By refusing to take on the responsibility, Sachin Tendulkar placed the selectors in an awkward position. But the question here is why and how did the selectors take him for granted. He never asked for captaincy and as per reports, never agreed to accept the offer.

The speculation was all media inspired. In fact, there is a school of thought that questioned his being brought back as captain. Now 34, and more often than not, playing his experience rather than his old, natural ability, Tendulkar could be said to have done the right thing by refusing to lead India. He needs to contribute with his bat and that is a big enough job as it is. Frankly, bringing him back as captain would have been a very retrograde move.

What has happened now is all for the good. Kumble can continue for a year or so and the reins can be handed over to a more mature Dhoni after that. By that time the picture about the senior players would have sorted out on its own.