The Hindu : Sport : ‘It’s nice to be playing again’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport

‘It’s nice to be playing again’

Special Correspondent

The team is together and I’m really proud of the fact: Kumble

— Photo: AFP

IN THE MIDST OF A STORM: Anil Kumble will hope to put aside the goings-on of the last few days as his side resumes its tour with a game against ACT XI.

CANBERRA: Anil Kumble, the Indian captain, spoke of the need to train the focus on cricket after the unpleasant events of the past few days, which have included a race row, a protest against incompetent umpiring, and the suspension of the tour of Australia.

The team, which had delayed its departure from Sydney under instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), arrived here on Wednesday afternoon.

The tour game against the ACT Invitational XI at the Manuka Oval will proceed as scheduled.

“It’s nice to be playing cricket again,” said Kumble ahead of the three-day match.

“It’s important to play good cricket. We need to move on. Cricket is larger than the individual and I respect that.”

Would the team insist on the overturning of Harbhajan Singh’s ban (on the charge of racial abuse) before the Perth Test or was it ready to provide leeway? “There’s an appeal made, and we’re hopeful of the right decision,” the 37-year-old said.

“There is a procedure and procedures like this take time. We have already provided leeway, and cricket must continue.”

On the future of the tour, Kumble said, “As far as I’m concerned, the BCCI stand, which was expressed in their press conference, says everything.”

The BCCI said on Tuesday that the tour would continue for the present and that it would monitor the situation.

Difficult days

Kumble said the last few days had been very difficult.

“It’s a very serious issue. The entire team is together and I’m really proud of the fact. We’d like to thank the BCCI for fully backing us. We’re all with Bhajji (Harbhajan). It’s not easy but he seems to be in a good mood,” Kumble said.

He reiterated that Harbhajan “didn’t use the word that was supposedly used.”

Kumble said he had approached the Australian captain on the possibility of sorting the issue out before the hearing.

“I did make a request to Ricky Ponting asking if we can sort it out,” said Kumble. “Instead he went to the match referee. His response was that it had already been reported. Having played for this long I anticipated and envisaged it would spiral into a larger issue.”

Was he worried that the ill-tempered events of the last few days would colour the remainder of the series? “The relationship between India and Australia has always been very good,” said the leg-spinner.

“What I said (about only one team playing in the right spirit) was meant for the Sydney game. It was a temporary setback. If people feel I had a biased opinion, there has been a poll (where over 78 per cent of 2,500 respondents said they were unhappy with Australia’s behaviour and would no longer support them).”

Kumble said he hadn’t yet thought of reviewing the captains’ agreement pertaining to the settling of disputed catches.

“I have no problems sitting and thrashing it out with Ricky,” he added.

“We know we have to be on top of our game to beat Australia,” said Kumble, looking ahead.

“We are aware that there will be moments in Perth and we have to seize and grab them. Hopefully cricket will be the focus.

“We have played good cricket so far. It’s important that at the end of it, whatever cricket we play will be remembered.”

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

Sport