Sorting out MS Dhoni's future is Anil Kumble's biggest challenge as India coach

After resisting calls for split captaincy for long, Indian cricket finally ventured down that path for the first time in 2007. The embarrassment of a first-round exit from the ICC World Cup in West Indies and the World T20 triumph in South Africa meant that MS Dhoni was clearly the man to lead India into the future. But there was some apprehension about handing over the Test reins to him immediately. Which is where Anil Kumble stepped in.

It was for the first time in history that an Indian Test captain was appointed knowing his term wouldn’t be a long one. The leg-spinner’s legendary career was on its last legs, and his stint as skipper was only to prep Dhoni for a longer run thereafter. It worked out quite well, however, with Kumble leading from the front against Pakistan at home and then away in Australia. The latter, especially, was a series where a firm statesman was needed, as certain events transpired, and it is perhaps a definitive marker in terms of his leadership abilities. Dhoni, meanwhile, knew his promotion would come sooner than later, and prepared himself accordingly.

The key aspect of this relationship was respect. With Gary Kirsten also coming in as coach, the path was much simpler for everybody involved; they all worked together towards a definitive blueprint for the future. A lot has been said – and written – about pushing out some of the Indian seniors out over the past few years, and it is a matter of perspective about how true this is. But, in 2008, Kumble’s stature demanded respect, and he was duly afforded his time and space.

Now, almost nine years later, life has come full circle for these two men. There is again a new regime in place, a new head coach who will shape the future with Virat Kohli. Dhoni figures a bit again, but it is amply clear that he is winding down his international stint. Quite simply, Kumble will have to play the balancing role herein, writing a new chapter in India’s captain-coach relationships.

This is where their limited-overs’ record over the last two years comes in. The 3-0 ODI series win in Zimbabwe was their first since the 5-0 win over Sri Lanka at home in November 2014. Since then, they have only celebrated a semi-final finish at the 2015 ODI World Cup in Australia, while suffering in the preceding tri-series against Australia and England, then losing in Bangladesh, to South Africa at home, and again away in Australia. Sure, they did well in T20Is, going on a winning spree before losing in the semi-finals again of the 2016 World T20.

The latter was a tournament at home, a must-win for players bred on IPL cricket, yet they didn’t succeed. Some people will point out that Shastri-Dhoni led the team to a 3-0 “whitewash” in Australia and the Asia Cup victory prior to this. But that is akin to Arsenal fans celebrating qualification for the Champions League round-of-16 every season. If you’re not winning the ultimate prize, it just doesn’t matter.

However, the impact of these statistics hangs more on the captain than on the coach. Dhoni might have grown tired of the retirement question, and thus the line of questioning had changed before he left for Zimbabwe. When asked about Shastri’s viewpoint that Kohli should be captain in all formats, Dhoni simply said, “It is the BCCI’s call.”

Of course, it is the board’s prerogative, but it is also about getting the timing right. Crucially enough, one of their prime candidates for the all-important coach’s role had said as much.

While it remains to be seen if Kumble thinks the same as Shastri, the composition of the squad for that Zimbabwean tour showed amply that the selectors have already started thinking about the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2019 World Cup, both to be held in England.

Now, here come the big questions. The next World Cup is three years away, so does Dhoni see himself featuring in it? If yes, in what capacity — as batsman/keeper or as captain? If he doesn’t plan on leading the side in England in three years’ time, is there enough merit in keeping him on as a player alone, assuming he does want to continue playing under Kohli?

The series wins in Zimbabwe will afford Dhoni some breathing space, for right or wrong, that is how Indian cricket works. Not to mention there is quite a gap before India’s next ODI assignment, against New Zealand at home in the last week of October. But when the selection committee eventually ponders over it, they will want answers to these questions. By then, the new coach will surely have spoken on the current ODI/T20I skipper’s status.

And so, never mind the tour to West Indies, or the high number of home Tests, or even the Champions Trophy in England next summer, sorting out Dhoni’s future is the biggest challenge of Kumble’s one-year term.