Cliche that it was a team decision untrue, says Anil Kumble

MUMBAI: Former India captain Anil Kumble today made light of the cliche 'its a team decision' and said decision making always lies with the captain.

"Ultimately it's a captain who decides. He might take advise of a player or might lean towards one or two. In the end its his responsibility," Kumble said while delivering the 7th Dilip Sardesai Memorial lecture at the Cricket Club of India here.

"The two clinches in the game are untrue and unnecessary. First it was a team decision. There is no thing ... there is a team suggestion, even a team proposal but its always a captain's decision," he added.

To prove his point, Kumble, who led India in Tests, gave example of Saurav Ganguly's decision to bat first in the India vs England Test in Headingly in 2002, which India eventually won.

"The second cliche is captain is only as good as a team. I feel the reverse is true, the team is only as good as its captain. Very good teams have been undone by mediocre captaincy. But a good example of latter is current New Zealand team led by Brendon McCullum," the 44-year-old said.

On the issue of different captains for different formats, Kumble said he does not see it as an issue.