Pujara, Rahane partnership the defining moment in Bangalore, says Kumble
[caption id="attachment_39120" align="aligncenter" width="580"]
Anil Kumble in a press-conference at Ranchi on Tuesday. Image Source: XtraTime[/caption]Internet Desk: India coach Anil Kumble on Tuesday said it was a good decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to withdraw the allegation against Aussie skipper Steve Smith to put focus back on cricket.
Speaking to the media ahead of the third test match that gets underway at Ranchi from Thursday, Kumble said, “I think what was important was to focus back on the game. I am very glad the BCCI took a very mature call with Cricket Australia and issue a joint statement that cricket needs to move on and moved out from whatever happened in Bangalore.”
Both the rival captains Virat Kohli and Steve Smith will meet with match referee Richie Richardson tomorrow to focus on the spirit of the game. According to Kumble, “I think is important because the focus has to be on the game. I thought we made a really fantastic comeback after losing the first Test. It was very rewarding.”
Kumble also added there was no need for his team to curb its aggression despite the din over on-field behaviour in what is turning out to be an intensely-fought Test series against Australia. “I don’t want to curb any natural instinct of the players as long as they go out there and do what is expected of them. I don’t think we need to read too much into the aggression. Every player has his own way of having a game face.
“And that’s what you want. You want everyone to go out there and show what they are capable of. This is a very important series. It’s 1-1. Both teams will come hard in this game. I’m sure cricket will be the winner. As custodians of this great game, we believe it’s important that we look after the game. Key stakeholders are the players and they certainly understand their responsibility,” he said.
Kumble also said the team is not affected by too much talk over DRS and the pitches in the two Test. “It doesn’t affect our game. We only want to play. We are not doing the talking but you are. We are just playing and thinking about the game on the field.”
The overall batting might not have clicked in this series but Kumble is taking comfort from the way the team has bounced back. “I think Day 2 batting in Bangalore Test was fantastic. There was attrition. Only 190 runs were scored and six wickets taken but the intensity and control with which our bowlers bowled, especially the pacers, showed character. That’s what you want to see in a team a lot of character and pride in doing things and coming back and winning a Test match,” he said.
He also added that the partnership between Pujara and Rahane during the second innings in Chinnaswamy was the key for the hosts.
“What stood out for me was KL Rahul’s batting in both innings in Bangalore and the (118-run) partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. If you look at the series so far we haven’t had a wicket-less session. But we scored more than 90 runs in that session without losing a wicket. That was a defining moment.”
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