Ahead of the second Test match between India and Australia going to start from March 4 in Bengaluru, team India’s head coach Anil Kumble addressed a press conference and asserted that their loss in Pune has become an old story now and it’s the time to move on. While answering the questions asked by the media personnel, Kumble stated that the wicket in Bengaluru will be a great opportunity for the batsmen and hopefully it would be result-oriented.
“Chinnaswamy has always been a good batting surface. I am sure results will be good,” said Kumble at the press conference on March 2.
“I don’t want to look back. As a coach, it is more important to look ahead. Yes, it was one of those games where things didn’t go our way and you just need to move on. Another three Test matches are there in the series and we are looking forward to that. We have had a fantastic home season. It is just one of those games where things didn’t go our way. More importantly for me as a coach is to look ahead and that’s exactly what we have been doing as a team that what has happened is done and dusted,” said Kumble.
When asked about Ajinkya Rahanse’s chance of playing the next game, Kumble replied,”There is no question of dropping Rahane. He has scored really well. He has been extremely successful for the last couple of years. There is absolutely no question about that. In terms of the team composition we still haven’t discussed on that. All 16 are available. Yes, it is unfortunate that Karun Nair missed out after he scored the triple hundred but that’s the way the composition of the team has been that we look to play five bowlers and it was unfortunate he came in as a replacement.”
“No. I don’t think so. It all depends on what we believe is the right combination to win a Test match. If we believe that four bowlers are enough or five bowlers are needed, which four bowlers or which five bowlers all that depends on what we look at and our aim is to win every game,” said Kumble on 5-bowler theory.
In the first test between India and Australia held at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune, India lost the game by 333 runs to Australia and the match ended on the third day itself. With this defeat, Voyage of team India of winning 19 continuous Test games in a row has come to an end.
Australian spinner Steve O’Keefe became the prime destroyer who took a total of 12 wickets in the first game of 4-match Test series. In the second innings, the third and the last session was a complete setback for the guests as the hopes to take over this ongoing match completely ruined up.
