The Hindu : Sport : `Kumble the biggest match-winner'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 12, 2006

Sport

Sport

`Kumble the biggest match-winner'

Special Correspondent

Chennai: Kapil Dev called leg-spinner Anil Kumble the biggest match-winner in the Indian team. The legendary former all-rounder was in the city on Friday, on an invitation from GSK Consumer Healthcare — the makers of Crocin Pain Relief tablets.

The former India captain said Kumble could contribute much to the side in any form of the game. Asked about Sachin Tendulkar's return from injury, he replied, "We all know about his ability. The question is about his fitness and he is the best person to answer this question."

He said Sourav Ganguly was working hard and wanted to represent the country again. "It is for the selectors to decide. A player always believes he can stage a comeback. Mohinder Amarnath did this so many times."

Unfortunate

Queried about former Australian batsman Dean Jones' controversial remarks on South Africa's Hashim Amla on television, he said, "What happened was very unfortunate. But people make mistakes. Jones has apologised unconditionally."

On so many injury-related breakdowns among present-day pacemen, Kapil, who stayed remarkably injury-free during his long career despite shouldering an enormous burden, said, "They should come to me. I probably know something. I can probably tell them the reason."

Among the contemporary all-rounders, Andrew Flintoff figured high on Kapil's list. "He can win matches with both the bat and the ball. He is a genuine all-rounder."

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

Sport