Kumble predicts tough Test series despite Inzy's absence

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Anil Kumble says the forthcoming three-Test series against Pakistan is going to be tough in spite of the absence of the visitors' former captain Inzamam-ul Haq. More... MUMBAI, November 1: Ace leg-spinner Anil Kumble says the forthcoming three-Test series against Pakistan is going to be tough in spite of the absence of the visitors' former captain Inzamam-ul Haq, who recently retired from the game. "Inzamam is a great player. He's a quality player. It's definitely a bonus for us to not bowl at someone like Inzy. But Pakistan have a formidable batting line-up with fantastic batsmen in Mohd Yousuf, Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik," said Kumble, who has grabbed 63 wickets in 12 Tests against Pakistan including 39 in six at home. Kumble also said that getting a good start was important for India to set the momentum in their favour. "It's going to be an important and tough series. The last time they came here (2004-05) they drew the series. It's important for us to start well in the first Test at Delhi," said India's leading wicket-taker in Test cricket at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. The 37-year-old Bangalore stalwart, leading his state team Karnataka for their season-opening Ranji Trophy clash against defending champions Mumbai from November 3, hoped that the Ferozshah Kotla ground will continue to be a happy hunting place for him. "Delhi has been a good ground for me and hopefully I will be able to do what I have done at the Kotla. I hope it will be a god start for me and the team," said Kumble, who has picked 10-74 against Pakistan in the 1998-99 rubber at the Kotla. On his own preparations for the high-tension Test rubber, Kumble said the Ranji Trophy game against Mumbai and the next one at Bangalore against Himachal Pradesh would get him into the groove for the Test series. "This (match) is a good start. It has been a while since I have played competitive cricket and against a good opposition, what with Mumbai being the defending champions." "I am looking forward to this game and there's another game (November 15-18 against Himachal Pradesh) before the first Test at Delhi," said the champion spin bowler who has taken a whopping 48 wickets in five Tests at the Kotla. Kumble said though he would have preferred former captain Rahul Dravid to be in the international side, his presence in the Ranji team would be beneficial for the youngsters in the Karnataka side. "I would have preferred him to be in the international side. Good to have his services for Ranji Trophy. For the kind of experience he has, the younger lot in the team will learn by sharing the same dressing room with Rahul," he said. Dravid has been omitted from the Indian One-day team for the first two ties against Pakistan on November 5 and 8 at Guwahati and Mohali leading to a raging debate in the country. Kumble said he did not know whether he was in the race for Test captaincy or not, but had relished the leadership role whenever it had been offered to him. "I don't know whether I am in the race, but if it's offered it would be a great honour. I have relished it whenever I had the opportunity. But that's something not for me to decide," said Kumble who has led India in a lone ODI against England at Chennai six seasons ago.

[King]

I hope Kumble makes this series a memorable one. I think Anil will retire from all forms of cricket after the Australia series if he isn't chosen as captain. I think he is far more deserving candidate for captaincy than the the likes of Tendulkar, Rahul or Ganguly.

[beetle]

Kumble would make an excellent captain....

[jim-jams]

It will be interesting to see what changes he'll make, as the Pakistani batsmen during the last tour, Younis especially, handled him quite well

[The Outsider]

One thing which worries me about Kumble being the captain is the risk of him over bowling himself even when things are not going his way. Laxman would be a better choice, IMO. But he is right about the series. It won't be a walkover by any means, though India are starting off as favorites in tests.

[beetle]

>>>>One thing which worries me about Kumble being the captain is the risk of him over bowling himself even when things are going his way

[The Outsider]

^ Edited:D

[beetle]

Why do you feel so?

[The Outsider]

He's just too passionate and comes across as a player who would always believe that he can turn things around. That's an ideal attribute for a player but as a bowling captain it can hurt the team at times when you are not in your groove but still keep on backing yourself to deliver instead of admitting, "well things are not falling my way, let's bring someone else on". Of course, it's kind of speculative as I have not really followed his captaincy closely at the domestic level.

[jim-jams]

would he be aggressive enough as captain? would he be able to administer a kick in the ass to players when they screw up/act lazy (ie Zaheer, Yuvraj)

[beetle]

He is the most agressive bowler we have. And by aggressive I don't mean the chest beating ,pitch thumping clowns. And he seems to be a no nonsense guy.

[gs]

Kumble is probably the best captain we'll never have. I dont think that c.nt Shastri though hyped was no where close to the stature of Kumble.