Pakistan ready to tackle Kumble
India's new captain Anil Kumble may have destroyed Pakistan at the Kotla in 1999, but the current set-up exude enough confidence to handle the leg-spinner.
Nine winters back, Anil Kumble wreaked havoc with his 10-wicket haul against Pakistan at the same venue but this time around, the visitors are in no mood to oblige him again.
Team manager Talat Ali gave enough indications that Kumble's 'Perfect 10' feat on Kotla still rankled the Pakistanis but he ruled out an encore when the teams meet here for the first Test starting on Thursday.
"Well, he is the new captain and I wish him all the best. He has produced some outstanding performance in the past but all I can say that we are ready to face him," he said.
Kumble had claimed all 10 wickets in Pakistan's second innings in the 1999 Test.
He said Kamran Akmal's finger injury had healed and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria would play a key role in the first Test.
"Danish has been a regular member of the Test side and he would bolster the attack," he said.
The Shoaib Malik-led side arrived at the Ferozeshah Kotla in the morning for practice session and they seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed it.
Coach Geoff Lawson turned an enthusiastic bowler, who pumped his fist in mock celebration after castling Yasir Hameed. Akmal, who has been dropping catches like hot potatoes throughout the series, prompting team think-tank to fly in rookie stumper Sarfraz Ahmed, had a special catching session aimed at helping him wriggle out of the morass.
Shoaib Akhtar, the entertainer ever, sweated and then turned a photographer, borrowing a camera from one of the shutterbugs. And he looked quite amused when Talat Ali also rolled his arm, sending down off-s
Stay updated with the latest Cricket News, IPL Live Score, GT vs DC Live Score and get exclusive insights with the IPL Match Today, IPL Points Table match highlights, and more. Explore a comprehensive Cricket Schedule, track the race for the Purple Cap and IPL Orange Cap in IPL 2024, check Virat Kohli performance and stay ahead with all the cricket-related updates on the Hindustan Times website and app.