Not much has changed in Kumble’s daily routine since last year’s Delhi Test, in which he had announced his international retirement. He has been training hard, frequently spotted at the nets in the run-up to this tournament. Shane Warne has spent his time very differently, playing poker, turning his arm over only in matches, and relying purely on his ability to wake up in a flash.

The two, apart from reviving their age-old leg-break rivalry post retirement, have carried forward the conviction triggered by Harbhajan Singh in the first game. And so, despite Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s decision to not play Muttiah Muralitharan in the opener against Mumbai on Saturday, it seems that spinners will play a substantial role over the next 35 days in South Africa.

“It’s nice to get among the wickets. I’m pleased with my performance and that I helped my side win,” Kumble said after the match. Kevin Pietersen, who was Warne’s team mate at Hampshire and is now with Kumble in the Royal Challengers squad, spoke highly of both bowlers. “Warnie is a great competitor. There’s lot to learn from him. And Anil obviously is truly a legend. You don’t get a talent like that by roaming the streets of Cape Town or Bangalore,” he said.

Vettori has his say

Delhi’s left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori added his weight behind the spin camp on Sunday afternoon, grabbing three Mohali wickets for 15 runs. He highlighted how spinners could contain runs and break partnerships by dismissing Ravi Bopara off his first delivery, and conceded just one run in his opening over in the shortened 12-over game.

The previous day, Harbhajan, introduced in the ninth over, had conceded two runs against Matthew Hayden and Andrew Flintoff to swing the match Mumbai’s way. He had also finished with figures of three for 15.

“It was good to bowl on this helpful Newlands wicket. I’m sure you will see many spinners playing in other teams because we have a role to play here in the IPL. You have to just bowl intelligently,” Harbhajan said.

The tournament is still very young but as the games move to other venues, the likes of Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Murali Kartik, Amit Mishra and Piyush Chawla will join the early heroes Kumble, Warne, Harbhajan and Vettori in trying to dispel the notion that slow bowlers are easy meat in a format designed for batsmen.

There are a number of technical reasons in the slow bowlers’ favour as well. With rain in the air, the curators will get less time to prepare wickets. As a pitch sweats under the covers, the ball is expected to stop on the batsmen, rendering shot-making difficult.

Also, this is the end of the domestic cricket season, and the tracks will find it difficult to cope with the extra load of 59 matches thrust upon them.

All things considered, the stage is set for quality spinners to have a field day.