Anil Kumble's transformation is complete: from a bowler who seemed to be on his way out to a bowler without whom it is now impossible to imagine an Indian bowling attack.

It all started by the one act of giving Harbhajan Singh the nod ahead of the veteran in Australia.

Most sporting greats distinguish themselves by rising above the challenge in a bid to prove themselves and their talent. That's exactly what Kumble did.

People talk about the man's humility, but what makes him a really good cricketer is not his humility but the fire he has within. It is precisely that part of him which seeks to get batsmen out as quickly as possible.

This Indian team is once again dependent on Kumble for success, both at home and abroad. The Bangalore-based leg-spinner is already the highest wicket-taker in world cricket at the moment, with 64 wickets in ten Tests at 26.47. Shane Warne has a better average of 61 at 24.22, but then he did not have to bowl on pitches tailor-made for batting.

At home, Kumble is always king. Now, with new-found variations he is deadly away from home as well. They say spinners are like fine wine and become better with age. The adage holds true for Kumble as well.

In this scenario, with his presence so vital to the Indian cause it is paramount to prolong his career as much as possible. One way to do it is also the most obvious: ask him to play only Test cricket.

One-day cricket is a batsman-dominated game, played on batting-friendly pitches where keeping runs down to a minimum is the bowlers' primary concern. Why would you want your best spin bowler to play in a scenario like this?

Let younger spinners like Murali Karthik learn their ropes in ODIs. Once Kumble decides to hang his boots, these bowlers will be ready to take his place.

The demands on the body in ODI cricket are very high and it is, in many ways, a young man's game. Kumble, the old fox, has a larger, more prestigious arena of Test cricket to conquer and that's what he should be concentrating on.

It is a fact that Kumble is not the most athletic of fielders, but, at the moment, he is our best bowler beyond a shadow of doubt. India needs him to play as long as possible.

At 34, he isn't getting any younger and his body doesn't heal the way it used to any longer. He finds that warming up takes just that little bit longer. He has been India's workhorse and strike bowler for well over a decade in both forms of the game and it is time he takes a rest from ODIs.

Warne has already set the precedent by declaring he will play only Test cricket and it is definitely helping him. At a certain age, a bowler's experience and skill combine to allow him to carry out plans with ruthless efficiency. Kumble has reached that age.

Not very long ago I had asked him how long he intends playing international cricket. His answer was simple: "I will continue playing as long as I am motivated."

Kumble will, in all probability, become India's leading wicket-taker in Test cricket during the first Test against Bangaldesh. He has already announced that he would like to become the first Indian to take 500 Test wickets. Not playing ODIs will certainly help him achieve that goal.

Check out Kumble's performance over the past year!

Mail Ashish Magotra