Published: Sep 12, 2016, 08:29 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 12, 2016, 08:30 PM (IST)
As India are about to start their long campaign of 13 Tests this season, India’s head coach Anil Kumble shared his views about what he thinks India need to do ahead of three-Test series against New Zealand. India will look at this series as an opportunity to reclaim their throne in ICC Test Rankings which they lost to Pakistan recently. India are to play England after New Zealand wraps up their tour of India in October. Recently elected squad featured the same players, omitting all-rounder Stuart Binny and fast-bowler Shardul Thakur. Though, not including Gautam Gambhir in the squad created a stir among fans as they took their disappointment to Twitter. ALSO READ: BCCI announces Indian squad for New Zealand Test series: Twitter Reactions
India have an upperhand over New Zealand as they have home advantage with familiar pitch conditions. However, Kumble has a different approach to that, he said, “When I was captain, the first question in a media conference when we played in India was ‘what do you think of the pitch?’ to which Kumble replied, “I am more concerned about what kind of cricket we play on that pitch. The Indian media certainly scrutinises the pitch more than any other media. Everybody wants to either not read anything or read too much into what happens off the first ball that is bowled. If you want to be the No. 1 team, you shouldn’t worry about pitches.”
Kumble is also concerned about player’s fitness, he said “Thirteen Test matches with three to four days’ gap and even during that gap, there will one day of travel, it (fitness) is going to be a challenge. We were conscious of that even in the West Indies. It is crucial that the squad remains physically fit and goes through those 13 games.”
However, he shows faith in the side as he said, “The biggest takeaway for me (from the West Indies tour) was that this team (India) is extremely committed. They are all extremely skillful and you asked them to do anything and they are ready. The camaraderie in this side is something that I am impressed with.”
