In fact Anil Kumble is the architect of this historic win although the team contributed as a whole. From Day one of this Test match Kumble did not behave in the conventional manner that has proved the downfall for Indian captains in the past.

Rather than believe in the hype of an over bouncy pitch at Perth, Kumble took the bull by the horns and decided to bat after winning the toss. This attitude told Ricky Ponting that his team was ready for a fight - albeit of a cricketing nature.

The second thing Anil Kumble did and did with great success was allow Virender Sehwag to bat in his natural way. Often in the past Sehwag has perished trying to play defensively. On that first morning, the Delhi dasher scored 28 runs, but more importantly was a part of a 57-run opening stand that ultimately laid a foundation for India's 330 in the first innings.

Kumble backed his bowlers to the hilt as was seen in the Australian first innings. This time they had the Aussies on the mat and did not let go as they had done in Sydney. the result? Australia perished for 212 giving India a vital lead of 118 runs.

The move to send Irfan Pathan as a night watchman late on the second day proved to be a masterstroke. In the past Kumble has been known to take that role, but at Perth he decided his younger colleague was a better fit.

Pathan repaid his captain's faith by scoring 46 valuable runs that in the end mattered most. Unlike past captains, Kumble also went for the unconventional by giving rookie fast bowler Ishant Sharma an extended spell. This confidence was eventually repaid as Ricky Ponting fell to the young man.

Brining on Sehwag when Gilchrist and Clarke were blazing away was the ultimate move in the chess game at Perth. Yes, Irfan Pathan was the man of the match. Yes, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar had laid a firm foundation in the first innings. Yes, VVS Laxman and Pathan were important in the second innings.

But the most important man on the field was the director - Anil Kumble. The win will be even sweeter considering the fact that he went past 600 wickets here; only the third bowler to do so in the history of test cricket.

Kumble knows the Australians will hit back hard, but as he said after the game, he has an entirely different script written for Adelaide as well!
 

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