This could be the last time

Anil Kumble has already said that this will be his last match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. If reports are to be believed, it will also be the first game of his final series. With the Indian board preferring to rotate matches around the many venues, it's also likely that Test-match lovers in Bangalore won't glimpse Sachin Tendulkar or Rahul Dravid again. As for Sourav Ganguly, this is definitely the last time.

As I sit here, looking at huge stands full of unoccupied red and blue chairs, it's impossible to escape that end-of-an-era feeling. For the best part of a decade, these have been the two most watchable teams in world cricket, the undisputed champions and the only challengers to keep coming back for more. It's as close as modern-day cricket has come to the Ali-Frazier epics.

For Australia, the process of change started more than 18 months ago. Warne, McGrath, Gilchrist, Langer and Martyn are already just fond memories, and it's doubtful whether Matthew Hayden will stretch his remarkable career - truly launched in India back in 2001 - beyond this Australian summer.

Hayden will venture out to bat with Simon Katich in a few minutes, and you'd do well to watch. Beyond these four Tests lies an uncertain future, for both teams. After times of plenty, this could be our final chance to take away memories of some of these Titans.

Comments

[Pritam Sinha]

As Kumble went wicketless on the day I read this piece, it seems all the more prophetic. Certainly, I also share a feeling that Kumble & co. might be just playing from memory hereon and the alternative career options must be outweighing other assignments' or other on field considerations. Well played Kumble and we enjoyed your never say die spirit and that image of jaw strapped Kumble bowling on in West Indies will linger on for long. Preparing ourselves for the inevitable transition, so normal in everything in life.