Kumble predicts tough Test series despite Inzy's absence

MUMBAI: 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 momemtum 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 here on Thursday.
    
The 37-year-old Bangalore stalwart, leading his stateteam 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 here 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.
    
Turning his attention to the match on hand, Kumble felt that it would be nice to get going in the first game itself.
    
"I am looking forward to this game. It will be nice to get things going in the first game itself. I have just been training (in Bangalore after returning at the conclusion of the Test series in England in August).
    
"I played only in the Hong Kong Sixes. That was the only place I had a bowl in the middle," he said.
    
Recalling Karnataka's surge into the semis last season with a young team, Kumble said it was important for the team to get a good start to their campaign.
    
"The important factor is to ensure Karnataka gets off to a good start. We did well last season getting to the semi finals with the kind of team we had", he said.
    
Kumble also expressed surprise over the absence of a single player from Karnataka in the three teams which took part in the recent N K P Salve Challenger Series in Ahmedabad.
    
"It's a young team with a good blend. For some reason none of the Karnataka boys figured in the Challengers which was a bit surprising. We have the potential to produce a couple more into the Indian team. We are all looking (forward) to that," he said.
    
He also praised young left arm spinner K P Appanna who, he felt, was a very promising bowler who, however, may have to wait for his chance to get into the side in the presence of himself and another seasoned campaigner Sunil Joshi.
    
"He's a young lad who has bowled well in the limited opportunities he got. He looks very promising. (But) it will be tough for him to get in with me and Sunil in the side," Kumble said.