Kumble - 'It felt like Sydney again'
Anil Kumble talks to the press as India close in on victory
Dileep Premachandran in Multan
31-Mar-2004
The 24th five-for of Anil Kumble's distinguished career took India to within a wicket of a historic first win on Pakistani soil. Kumble displayed endurance, skill and enthusiasm in equal measure to pick up seven wickets on a day where he had to bowl 35.3 overs in torrid conditions. He was especially potent in the second innings, picking up 6 for 71, taking his tally in his last four Tests to a mind-boggling 32. At the end of it all, he was a satisfied man, needing just ten more scalps to become the second Indian - and the ninth overall - to pass the 400-wicket barrier. He talked to the media about the placid pitch, India's determination to win the series, and his satisfaction at a job well done:
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On the pitch
It's a very placid track. Whatever we have achieved in this game is because of the huge score that the batsmen put on the board. Once they scored 675, there was enormous pressure on the opposition. But whatever is said about the pitch, I think the credit should go to the team who have been able to get a result out of it. This team truly believes that it can win, no matter what the conditions.
It's a very placid track. Whatever we have achieved in this game is because of the huge score that the batsmen put on the board. Once they scored 675, there was enormous pressure on the opposition. But whatever is said about the pitch, I think the credit should go to the team who have been able to get a result out of it. This team truly believes that it can win, no matter what the conditions.
On the prospect of becoming the first Indian team to win in Pakistan
We thought it might be possible today, but we have to come back tomorrow and pick up one wicket. It's going to be a great achievement. We're playing in Pakistan after 15 years, and to win our first Test here will be a source of tremendous satisfaction.
We thought it might be possible today, but we have to come back tomorrow and pick up one wicket. It's going to be a great achievement. We're playing in Pakistan after 15 years, and to win our first Test here will be a source of tremendous satisfaction.
On comparisons to his ten-wicket haul at Delhi in 1999
It's difficult to compare. What is important is the team winning.
It's difficult to compare. What is important is the team winning.
On how quickly he got into the groove after a spell on the sidelines
At times today, with the number of overs I bowled, I felt like I hadn't left off in Sydney. After a couple of overs in the first innings, the ball was coming out nicely. It's no secret that I love to bowl, or that I like to be involved as much as possible.
At times today, with the number of overs I bowled, I felt like I hadn't left off in Sydney. After a couple of overs in the first innings, the ball was coming out nicely. It's no secret that I love to bowl, or that I like to be involved as much as possible.
On how the team coped for such a long time without the injured Zaheer Khan
I thought Irfan [Pathan] and Balaji bowled great spells early on. Yuvi also took a crucial wicket, and ran Inzamam out. And it also helped that we have guys like Sachin and Veeru, who are capable of picking up wickets rather than just turning their arm over.
I thought Irfan [Pathan] and Balaji bowled great spells early on. Yuvi also took a crucial wicket, and ran Inzamam out. And it also helped that we have guys like Sachin and Veeru, who are capable of picking up wickets rather than just turning their arm over.
On whether this will quieten his critics, who claim he's effective only on helpful pitches
I'm not here to prove anybody wrong. They will say that this is still the subcontinent [laughs]. They will say that I don't spin the ball. But ultimately, all that matters is the number of wickets, and how you contribute to the team's success.
I'm not here to prove anybody wrong. They will say that this is still the subcontinent [laughs]. They will say that I don't spin the ball. But ultimately, all that matters is the number of wickets, and how you contribute to the team's success.
On Irfan Pathan
It was fantastic to see a 19-year-old run in so hard in just his third Test. He has made big improvements in every aspect of his cricket, and that augurs well for the future of Indian cricket.
It was fantastic to see a 19-year-old run in so hard in just his third Test. He has made big improvements in every aspect of his cricket, and that augurs well for the future of Indian cricket.
On looking back at his career, and looking ahead to 400 wickets
I look back with a bit of pride. As for the 400 wickets, I'll take things one at a time, and hope I get there soon.
I look back with a bit of pride. As for the 400 wickets, I'll take things one at a time, and hope I get there soon.
On Yousuf Youhana's century
He's a quality batsman. It would have been nice to get him out today, but we'll have to come back tomorrow for that.
He's a quality batsman. It would have been nice to get him out today, but we'll have to come back tomorrow for that.
On whether he had thought of how India's famed spinners had been savaged here in 1978
I don't like to go back to history. I came here with a lot of confidence, having done well against Pakistan in India [in 1999].
I don't like to go back to history. I came here with a lot of confidence, having done well against Pakistan in India [in 1999].
On what has changed in Indian cricket, allowing the team to become more consistent and successful
I'd put it down to the belief that we have now. The players have worked very hard, and have been helped by the support staff. Credit needs to go to John [Wright], Andrew [Leipus] and Greg [Allen King], and also Adrian [le Roux] who was there before Greg. They have instilled confidence in us, and the work ethic is also great. The players have also made a tremendous effort.
I'd put it down to the belief that we have now. The players have worked very hard, and have been helped by the support staff. Credit needs to go to John [Wright], Andrew [Leipus] and Greg [Allen King], and also Adrian [le Roux] who was there before Greg. They have instilled confidence in us, and the work ethic is also great. The players have also made a tremendous effort.
On how the result here will affect the rest of the series
We hope we can take the confidence we have gained here to Lahore, and win the series.
We hope we can take the confidence we have gained here to Lahore, and win the series.