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Anil Kumble, the India captain, has hit out at the media’s “uncharitable” comments on his fitness, calls for retirement, and his performance as a player and captain following India’s hard-fought draw in the first Test against Australia in Bangalore.

Kumble went wicketless in a total of 51 overs and a shoulder injury restricted him to only eight overs in the second innings.

In his syndicated column, Kumble said the media attention reminded him of the tour of Australia in January when he had to deal with several off-field issues, including the controversial Sydney Test which was marred by alleged racist remarks and cheating claims.

On the vexed issue of retirement, he clarified that he will quit on his own terms.

“What has also been somewhat unexpected is the way the Indian media seems to have delighted in analysing and sensationalising every little action, remark or gesture,” Kumble wrote.

“I didn’t really expect to have to go through this all over again on my home turf.

“That time, ten months ago, saw me unfortunately having to split my time between playing cricket and handling a host of unnecessary off-the-field issues, instead of being able to concentrate on playing the game and handling my team.” Kumble said he was confident of recovering fully in time for the second Test in Mohali starting on Friday.

Dilip Vengsarkar, the former selection chairman, had slammed Kumble for not declaring his injury before the Bangalore Test and said he should not have played.

“And for those who are wondering, I’m feeling good.

I am hopeful the shoulder injury I picked up during the match should be fine by the second Test and that it will be business as usual thereafter,” Kumble said.

“When I decide to make a final bow, I’ll go on my own terms.” Kumble felt the criticism of India’s performance in the Test was a little too harsh.

Highlighting the positives, he said the bowlers did well to restrict Australia to 430 and praised Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan for scoring half-centuries after the seniors had failed in the first innings.

“Actually, I’m pretty happy with the way things panned out after we lost the toss.

From the look of the pitch, this was a track on which 600 could have been made batting first.

That the Australians took five sessions and more to make about 400 is a reflection on how wonderfully well our bowling unit performed.

“Harbhajan and Zaheer stood up and made sure they not only cut down the lead, but also showed everyone that our tail can handle this Australian attack with ease.

It may also be noted that our four senior batsmen, Sachin and Rahul, Sourav and Laxman, all played a part in this Test.” He also singled out the bowling of Zaheer and Ishant Sharma - they shared 13 of the 16 wickets to fall - who “bowled with heart and spirit to shape the way this series might go.” Looking ahead to the Mohali Test, he said the team certainly didn’t lack self belief.

“I can’t promise things I have no control over, but the one thing that I can guarantee is that I won’t give up the fight.

We won’t.

The belief that I have in my team, and the belief that the team has in me is what matters the most.”

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The newest addition to Indias spin bowling armoury left armer Pragyan Ojha credits Test captain Anil Kumble for helping him learn the tricks of the trade and fine tune his game. Obviously it helps a lot if you are playing with experienced bowlers like Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. I have not had a chance to speak to Bhajji but I have been in touch with Anil bhai and he has been very helpful to me Ojha told reporters after a net session on Monday. Ojha who made his ODI debut against Bangladesh on Saturday said he had got tips from Kumble who had given him a lot of guidance. His advice has helped me a lot and it is good to learn from experienced players like him he said. Ojha who had a decent show in the Indian Premier League didn`t agree that the Twenty20 competition was the main reason behind his selection in the Indian team for the Asia Cup. No it has all come together. It is very important to also play and perform in Ranji trophy Deodhar trophy and the Challenger trophy. I think playing in all these events including the IPL has brought me forward he said. The young spinner who impressed on his debut against Bangladesh said he was prepared to the challenges of bowling to sub-continental batsmen who play spin well. My only ambition is to play for my country and do well. There is pressure no doubt but I can take it. Playing in the Asia Cup against batsmen who are used to playing spinners is a challenge but I have accepted it he said. My 1^st match was a good one and I just want to continue the same way whenever I get a chance to play he added. Ojha said he was sticking to the basics and not working on special deliveries or tactics for Twenty20 and one day cricket. I am just trying to stick to the basics like working on my flight and keeping a good length consistently. Meanwhile only three Indian players opted to use the optional practice session with the Pathan brothers and Ojha coming to the nets. Irfan who missed the first three games of the Asia Cup because of a side strain bowled around 6 to seven overs in the nets before he picked up the bat under the guidance of the team physiotherapist.

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South Africa revelled in good batting conditions to pile up 304-4 on the opening day of the first cricket Test against India here on Wednesday.

Neil McKenzie (94), skipper Graeme Smith (73) and Hashim Amla (85 not out) laid the foundations for a big total as the Indian bowlers toiled in oppressive weather and on an unresponsive wicket at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.

McKenzie and Smith provided the momentum with an opening stand of 132 in their first outing since compiling a world record partnership of 415 against Bangladesh in Chittagong earlier this month.

The duo batted through the morning session to put on 109 by lunch after Smith won the toss and took first strike on a placid wicket.

Smith had made 73 when he lost his wicket midway through the post-lunch session, on-driving Anil Kumble to short mid-wicket where Vangipurappu Laxman moved to his right to take a smart catch.

Smith fell soon after he had slammed three boundaries in one over from seamer Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, but McKenzie and Amla put on 64 for the second wicket to further frustrate the Indians.

McKenzie, who was recalled to the South African side in January after three years in the wilderness, missed a fourth Test century when he edged off-spinner Harbhajan Singh to Rahul Dravid in the slips just before tea.

Harbhajan struck again on the resumption, having Jacques Kallis caught at forward short-leg by Wasim Jaffer for 13 to leave South Africa 244-3.

Amla and Ashwell Prince carried the total to 291 when 37-year-old Kumble, the Indian captain, dived to his left to pick up a low return catch off Prince.

The umpires agreed to have two drinks breaks every session, instead of the mandatory one, as on-field temperatures touched 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) with 75 percent humidity.

“It is disappointing to miss a Test century but if anyone had told me in the morning that I will make 94, I would have taken it happily,” said McKenzie.

“Bangladesh was a watershed for me and I am really enjoying my return to Test cricket. In the subcontinent it is best to open the innings, when the ball is hard and comes off the bat.

“We have a lot of batting left and hope to add another 250 runs.”

Harbhajan was confident India can restrict South Africa on the second day.

“It is a matter of getting a few wickets tomorrow,” the off-spinner said.

“The target is not to give them more than 80 runs. If only we had won the toss and batted first. The wicket is tough for the bowlers as is the weather. But we are determined to win this Test match.”

Smith and McKenzie, who both hit double centuries during their record stand in Chittagong, appeared in prime form as they flayed the Indian seam attack of Rudra Pratap Singh and Sreesanth in the morning session.

Runs flowed freely from their blades as McKenzie opened his account by flicking Rudra Pratap to the square-leg fence, and took two more boundaries off the same bowler.

Smith cut Sreesanth to point and then slashed him over the slips before the seamer beat the South African captain twice outside the off-stump.

Kumble, who came on with his leg-spin in the 11th over, was welcomed by McKenzie with two fours in one over.

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