The Hindu : Sport : Kumble foresees positives for India under Dravid

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 17, 2005

Sport

Sport

Kumble foresees positives for India under Dravid

S. Dinakar

Eyeing the 500 Test-wicket landmark personally

— Photo: V. Ganesan

Anil Kumble.

CHENNAI: Anil Kumble's relaxed exterior off the arena contrasts with his burning intensity donning the India cap. The ace leg-spinner does not carry with him on-field scars and this, perhaps, is a factor behind his cricketing longevity.

The champion cricketer will be celebrating his 35th birthday on Monday (October 17). And he still figures prominently in the Indian scheme of things.

The Karnataka spinner was in Chennai on Sunday on a promotional visit for Samsung. Despite hectic schedule, he found time for an exclusive chat with The Hindu.

Kumble is recovering from a niggle in his back which kept him out of contention for the first two ODIs against Sri Lanka. "I will be seeing John (Indian physio John Gloster) in a couple of days. It's basically some stiffness in the back, which I aggravated after the Sri Lankan tour. I am training hard. I don't want to take a chance with the injury. I should be all right soon."

The leggie and the new Indian skipper Rahul Dravid travel a long way back. Kumble believes Dravid's strengths as a cricketer should influence the team in a positive manner. "He is very focused, determined and disciplined. It will filter down to the side."

Warne's the best

Just three matches short of 100 Tests — he has 465 wickets in 97 Tests and 329 scalps in 264 ODIs — Kumble said he was eyeing the 500 Test-wicket landmark. "That would be nice."

And he was delighted about his good friend Shane Warne becoming the first bowler to shatter the 600-wicket barrier in Tests. "He is the best spinner I have seen. It's heartening to see a leggie at the top. He's been great for the game."

Kumble felt the story of the Ashes this summer might have been different had Warne and Stuart MacGill bowled in tandem. "It was surprising why MacGill was not picked despite some of the frontline Aussie pacemen having an ordinary time. Warne and MacGill are attacking leg-spinners, they are also different in their methods. MacGill is a big spinner of the ball and he should have been there in the eleven."

Ability is the key

On India going through a rebuilding phase, he said only the youngsters with ability will survive the long season. "There are a lot of matches against good teams. There will be opportunities. Only the best will come through."

Kumble, genial as ever, took in his stride his surprising omission from the World side for the Super Series Test. Always open to fresh ideas, he found the concept of an ODI super substitute interesting.

The leggie was also glad to see Sachin Tendulkar back in the Indian side. "It is not easy to return from a lengthy lay off caused by injury. I wish him the best of luck."

In the afternoon, he flew back to Bangalore. Kumble's birthday celebration in the Garden City should be a quiet, understated and elegant affair. Like the man himself.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport