Its another beginning, Kumble says on captaincy

The job of leading the Indian cricket team might have come a little late for Anil Kumble, but the veteran spinner sees it as another beginning of his career.

By Vikram Vishal

New Delhi, Nov 20 : The job of leading the Indian cricket team might have come a little late for Anil Kumble, but the veteran spinner sees it as "another beginning" of his career.

Kumble, who is all set to lead the Indian Test side when it takes on archrivals Pakistan in the first match at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground here on November 22, today said he was looking forward to perform his new duty.

"Delhi is of course among my favourite grounds and it's (captaincy) another beginning," he told reporters when asked about playing at Feroz Shah Kotla (where he took 10 wickets in an innings in 1999 against Pakistan) as a captain.

Commenting on whether starting the job of captaining the team against Pakistan would be a challenge, he said that any series is challenging and the one beginning from Thursday would be no exception.

"Hopefully, I will be able to what I have been doing for the team for all these years," added Kumble, who turned 38 last month.

The veteran of 118 Test matches skirted commenting on Australian captain Ricky Ponting's recent statement that India's forthcoming tour to Down Under would be a big test for Kumble.

"I don't want to respond to anything. Currently, we are concentrating on the series against Pakistan," he said.

Meanwhile, India fast bowlers S Sreesanth and RP Singh have been ruled out of the first Test due to injuries. Gujarat pacer Munaf Patel has been called in as the second fast bowler besides Zaheer Khan.

Sreesanth, who did not turn up for practice sessions, is still recovering from a shoulder injury got during the final ODI against Pakistan in Jaipur.

Singh is reportedly suffering from a rib injury.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who got an ankle injury in the Jaipur match, looked fit during today's net session. He spent over 30 minutes on wicket-keeping practice after a fielding practice session at the main ground for about a similar duration.

ANI