When American President Abraham Lincoln was told General Ulysees Grant had a drinking problem, at the time of the Civil War, all that the former asked was whether the General was lucky. When told that he was, Lincoln appointed Grant as chief of army staff and probably sent him a bottle or two.

The new national selection committee, headed by that batting gambler, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, might well take a cue from the American situation. That is, make Mahendra Singh Dhoni the captain of the Test team and tell the incumbent, Anil Kumble, “You have done a good job as captain, but MSD is luckier than you are and wins. So thank you, and call it quits.”

It is unlikely that Srikkanth and his committee would have either the courage or the conviction, to take such a step. The last time, which was in a Test against South Africa, Kumble was injured and Dhoni led, India won and the rubber was squared. This time against Australia, with Dhoni leading, the portents seem better, and the Jharkand man might even achieve a series win.

Who will bell the cat?

This is the question that is always asked when matters become complicated. But if a tough call is taken, then two birds are killed with one stone.

When Kumble is not the Test captain anymore, he will certainly retire as a player. There would be sadness and possibly some bad blood, with Karnataka protesting that its players are being singled out for roughshod treatment. One has to accept that Karnataka cricket has been on the downswing from the time it had as many as six representatives in the Indian side.

The portly president, Srikanta Datta Wadiyar, and the bearded secretary, Brijesh Patel, of the state association have to take the responsibility for the depressing state of affairs. Not that they are unduly concerned. In fact, there has been a wall erected in honour of Rahul Dravid at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Is it true that monuments are erected to commemorate past achievements and glory? Or, is it a reminder to Dravid and Kumble to move on? May be it is!