Anil Kumble © CricInfo

Every day the mail boxes are bombarded with e-mails from anxious fans wanting to know when ace Indian legspinner Anil Kumble will return to international cricket. It has now been 16 months since Kumble played a Test match, nine months since he represented India in a limited overs international and seven months since he underwent surgery on his shoulder to treat a rotator cuff injury. With every passing day, the worried e-mails from fans get more intense in tone, the questions and speculations about the severity of the injury assume greater proportions. Speaking exclusively to CricInfo over the telephone from his Bangalore residence on Wednesday, Kumble answered all questions and allayed the fears of fans. "I'm well on the road to recovery already. Although I don't want to make any promises, I can confidently say I'm well on the way to getting to full fitness," began Kumble.

Several weeks earlier, the Indian coach, John Wright was quoted as saying that the return to the Indian team would not be an easy one for Anil Kumble. He added that Kumble would have to fight to regain his spot. With little or no domestic cricket in the offing, the position was an unfamiliar one for the Karnataka leggie. As you would expect, the man who has earned a reputation of being cool as ice is not perturbed by this. "I'm not anxious at all about the fact that there isn't much domestic cricket in the near future. In August I will be playing in the Karnataka State Cricket Association Golden Jubilee Tournament and that will give me a chance to test the waters. Obviously there's a lot of action coming up for the Indian team, and I need to be at full fitness when I return," explained Kumble, showing clearly that he had given the matter considerable thought.

Having ended the Test series in Zimbabwe at a 1-1 draw, there was talk that India were already beginning to miss Kumble. What was perceived as India's best chance to win a series outside the subcontinent in over a decade went abegging. With the Indian team already in Sri Lanka for a limited overs triangular series, also featuring New Zealand and a Test series soon after, the questions about Kumble's return once again resurfaced. " I was never thinking specifically along the lines of returning to the team for the Sri Lanka tour. That would have been ideal, but you really can't rush these things," began Kumble, making his stance in the matter amply clear. "My realistic aim has always been the Indian tour of South Africa. There was a small possibility that I would be fit in time for the Lanka tour. I would have loved to make it, but that's not how it turned out," said Kumble.

The fact that Kumble has been India's spearhead with the ball for many years now gives rise to a unique situation. While the need for him to return as soon as possible is a tangible one, there is no point in rushing things either. In this regard, Kumble has played it perfectly safe. Unlike many cricketers who, in their anxiety to make a comeback, have made premature returns and broken down soon after, Kumble has taken his time over his recuperation. So much so that people have been prompted to wonder, 'is Kumble playing it too safe?' That's a legitimate question, but one that only Kumble can answer with any authority. "Although I'm not doing any physiotherapy at this stage, I'm doing all the routine workouts and exercises that were prescribed. In fact, I've even started bowling in the nets and I can tell you that things are okay," said Kumble reassuringly.

Both on the field and off it, Kumble has a reputation of being a levelheaded and careful individual. Not given to flights of fancy or hasty decisions, Kumble went as far as turning down a lucrative offer to do some television commentary. Not so long ago, both Ricky Ponting and Andy Flower did stints behind the microphone when laid low by injuries. In turning down the offer, Kumble has only strengthened the opinion that he was one hundred percent focused on getting fit. To the last moment Kumble remained guardedly optimistic. "I don't want to make any promises, but I think you'll see me back in action inside of two months," said Kumble.

With India leaving for South African shores as late as October, it would be safe to assume that Kumble will be part of the touring party.

© CricInfo