The Hindu : Sport : Kumble keen to get going

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Friday, Nov 02, 2007
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Sport

Kumble keen to get going

Special Correspondent

— PHOTO: PTI

SEASONED PRO: The Karnataka camp is hoping that its captain Anil Kumble will lead from the front.

MUMBAI: Anil Kumble, given the mantle of Karnataka’s leadership, looks forward to competitive action against India’s champion side Mumbai in the forthcoming Ranji Trophy super league tie.

“It has been a while since I have played competitive cricket, so it will be good to get things going,” he said after nets at the Wankhede Stadium here on Thursday.

“Mumbai is the defending champion and it is a good opposition. I’m looking forward to this game,” he said.

Asked about his approach to leadership, he said: “Captaincy is something I have relished whenever I had an opportunity. That is something not for me to decide. As long as I am giving 100 per cent, I am looking forward to a good, challenging match against Mumbai. For me, it is important to do well for Karnataka.”

He looks at Rahul Dravid’s availability as a positive effect on the learning curve for youngsters in the side.

“I would have preferred him to be in the international side. However, it is good to have his services for Ranji Trophy. The youngsters can benefit from the experience of sharing the same dressing room as Rahul,” he said.

Kumble, adjusting to the demands of Ranji Trophy after playing in the Hong Kong Sixes event, wants Karnataka to get its act together from the first game itself. “I think the most important point is to ensure we get off to a good start. That is the bottom line,” he said.

About the home Test series against Pakistan, Kumble said: “It will be a tough series. It is important to start well. Delhi has been a good ground for me and hopefully I will be able to do what I have done earlier at the Kotla.”

He added, “Pakistan has some fantastic batsmen in Mohd. Yousuf, Younis Khan, and Shoaib Malik. They are a formidable team.”

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