Battered Indians look Down Under for solace

India had managed to come back in the Tests in the West Indies after messing up the ODIs, Kumble tells Kadambari Murali.

EVERYONE HAS a muse, a place or person or deeds from where they derive inspiration for further tales of valour. The Indians, distressed over this misbegotten tour of South Africa, will be looking at deriving motivation from not so distant past — that fabulous 2003-2004 series Down Under when they won a Test and nearly won the series.

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On a hot Tuesday, after India practised and sweated it out at the nets, Anil Kumble said as much as he mounted an impassioned defence of his team’s chances in the Tests.

“Not many people gave us a chance when we toured Australia. Everybody said we would lose 0-4, but it was one of the best series for India there. So I am positive about this series... If all of us play to potential, it will be a good series for us,” said Kumble.

Kumble pointed out that India had managed to come back in the Test series in the West Indies after messing up the one-dayers and fought back in the one-dayers after not doing well in the Tests in Pakistan early this year.

“I think the conditions here are pretty similar to Australia. So you try and see the performances that the team has had there (Australia). As an individual as well, you try and look back at certain performances there (Australia) to draw inspiration.”

Kumble pointed out that it was more or less the same team and same set of players here (as those that went to Australia) and added that things would change if India got one inspirational innings early (like Ganguly’s 144 in the first Test in Brisbane). “It’s a matter of one innings and hopefully, it will be the first innings of the first Test,” said the leg-spinner.

Pointing out it was necessary to have runs on board for the bowlers (especially the spinners) to have a go at the opposition batsmen, Kumble re-emphasised the importance of opening stands.

One of the reasons India did well in Australia were the partnerships between Virender Sehwag and Aakash Chopra at the top. For the most, the middle did not have to face the new ball and that made a huge difference.

“It is very important that we get an opening stand and I am confident that our openers will do well,” said Kumble, adding that India had some good partnerships at the top during the West Indies tour also.

He also said it was the sheer number of runs the top batsmen got Down Under that will not be forgotten. “If you have to win Tests, you need runs on board and the time to get wickets and we did that. We got 20 wickets in a Test and won it and we came pretty close to winning the last Test as well. So you need runs and definitely enough time for the bowlers to get enough wickets.”

He said the Tests would not be easy. “The South Africans obviously know the conditions well and they’ve been good at home. They have the bowlers, the wickets suit them and it’s not easy out there. Then again, not many people have gone to Australia and come back victorious, so we need to look at the positives and need to turn it around.”

Underperformers can be called back: Shah

New Delhi: Meanwhile, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah has sent out a message to the team, saying that underperforming players could be called back. “The Selection Committee can always call anybody back and replace him with a new player. The Board and the Selection Committee have the full power in this regard,” he said.