Date:23/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/23/stories/2008032356081700.htm

Sport

‘Shall seek to maintain momentum’

Special Correspondent

— Photo: K. Pichumani

Anil Kumble.

Chennai: Indian Test team captain Anil Kumble dismissed talk of any division in the side on the basis of experience or age. “We don’t look at each other as a senior or a junior. It is one unit. We did well in Australia and will seek to maintain the momentum against South Africa at home.”

Kumble was addressing the media along with coach Gary Kirsten here on Saturday evening.

The Test series in Australia produced some excellent cricket, but was an ill-tempered one. Kumble hoped the forthcoming series would be played in the right spirit. “There is this demarcation line. We will not cross it. Our focus will be on cricket.”

Kumble said he respected Kirsten from his playing days and added the South African would contribute positively to Indian cricket.

Kirsten said Kumble was an outstanding cricketer, who, crucially, had the respect of his men. He looked forward to coaching the Indian team. “I spent a few weeks with the team in Australia. I will be taking that process forward,” he said.

The fact that his first assignment was against a team which he comprehended very well did not make his task any easier, said Kirsten. “In the age of television, everyone knows everything about the other teams,” he noted.

On the question of Paddy Upton, the Indian team’s mental conditioning coach, revealing secrets about Graeme Smith’s men to the Indian team, Kirsten said, “There are certain issues that are confidential, like the players’ personal lives.”

Upton has worked with several key South African cricketers.

Role of support staff

Kirsten said, at this level, the job of the support staff was more about getting the players perform at the best of their ability.

“They all have the ability,” he said.

Despite having a sizeable South African presence in the side’s support staff, Kumble was not willing to take the visitors lightly.

“The South Africans have done well in India on the previous occasions. It should be a good challenge,” he said.

Kumble said the Chepauk pitch appeared a good one.

“It should take spin as the game progresses,” he elaborated.

Replying to a specific question on the batting order, he said Rahul Dravid would bat at the No. 3 slot.

The Indian captain expected the weather to clear up by the time the match commenced.