Kumble’s agenda: Keep Indian record against Aussies intact

Anil Kumble is at the peak of his career, having breached the 400-wicket barrier. And he is savouring every moment of it. In a chat with The...

Anil Kumble is at the peak of his career, having breached the 400-wicket barrier. And he is savouring every moment of it.

In a chat with The Indian Express, Kumble talked about his career, the ups and downs and, more specifically, the Chennai Test. ‘‘It’s a great feeling to achieve the landmark (400 wickets). It has been a long journey and a highly satisfying one,’’ reflected Kumble, who joined the elite club last week in Bangalore.

He felt he has evolved as a bowler. ‘‘I think I have changed for the better, that is how I like to look at it. Definitely I have improved as a bowler. There has been a change in my thought process and I bowl as the situation demands. In fact, if you note, you will understand that the 300 wickets to 400 wickets journey was done in fewer Tests,’’ said Kumble.

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Kumble knows that he is bowling with a lot of confidence and hopes to continue doing so. Attributing his success to good support at the other end, he said: ‘‘I have been really lucky to have quality spinners bowling at the other end. First, there was Venkatapathy Raju, later Rajesh Chauhan, Sunil Joshi and now Harbhajan Singh. Both Harbhajan and myself are attacking bowlers and it helps serve the team’s cause.”

Kumble has fond memories of the 10-wicket haul against Pakistan at New Delhi that helped India level the series. ‘‘It was certainly the highlight of my career. But I also cherish the day I got my first wicket (England’s Allan Lamb, caught by Sanjay Manjrekar in 1990) in Test cricket. My first five-wicket haul (6-53) against South Africa at Johannesburg (1992-93) too is special,’’ said Kumble.

‘‘My aim and ambition is simple. Play well and win more matches for India. The immediate task for me would be to maintain our home record (India have not lost a series to Australia in India in the last 30 years). I hope to come good and give my own contribution to the series win,’’ said Kumble, sounding a warning to the Aussie camp. ‘‘I had a look at the wicket which is pretty good. If we put some runs on the board in the first innings, we would be able to achieve the result we want.”

Kumble rated the track at the at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo the toughest to bowl on. ‘‘The wicket (lifeless) and the conditions, especially in a Test match, make it difficult for a bowler. I am sure, no bowler would enjoy bowling there,’’ said Kumble.

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The leggie also had a word of praise for young speedsters Irfan Pathan, Laxmipathy Balaji and Ashish Nehra and believed that the Indian new-ball attack had a settled look now. ‘‘The youngsters are doing well. Balaji is a fine bowler. Unfortunately, he is out due to injury. But it is only a matter of time before he bounces back,’’ opined Kumble.