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Kumble wants Kapil's mark

October 06, 2004 20:06 IST

Having joined the elite league of bowlers who have claimed 400 Test wickets, ace leg spinner Anil Kumble has now set his eyes on overhauling Kapil Dev's 434 wickets.

"Obviously another 35 wickets is probably the target... my immediate goal. I just like to keep getting wickets and I am feeling good at the moment," said the 33-year-old, after reaching the milestone on the opening day of the first Test against Australia at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore on Wednesday.

Anil Kumble"It is very satisfying and a great honour to be in the list of 400 wicket-takers. The list is amazing and to be a part of it is a great feeling," he said.

"It's an honour to  be a part of a list which has only three spinners. I am happy I am one of them."

Recalling his career-threatening shoulder injury, which kept him out of international cricket for almost a year in 2000, Kumble said: "It was a hurdle, but I'm really happy that I got over that and got to this target. When I took 300, I started to believe it is possible."

Asked about his plans to celebrate the achievement, the true professional said he will first wait for the match to end.

"Not yet. We just want to focus on this game. It is important that we get a good day's cricket tomorrow.

"There's still chance, and if we restrict Australia for another 70-80 runs we have a very good chance," said Kumble, who went into the match with a mild flu.

"We were pretty okay at 160 for four. Then that partnership [between Simon Katich and Michael Clarke] came. Towards the end we gave away some 20-30 runs more."

On whether India missed a third spinner, Kumble replied in the negative.

"I don't think so. Irfan and Zaheer bowled well, and Irfan also got us the break," he said.

Kumble also said Harbhajan Singh was a bit unlucky in the beginning. "He bowled well. In fact, he was unlucky. On the first day one can't expect two spinners to get the side out for 200."

Asked about scalping the 300th and 400th victim on home turf, Kumble replied: "Somehow it worked that way. I'm close to a landmark whenever I play at home. It is just coincidence.

"I have my parents, so many relatives and friends here who have been a big support for me. I'm happy to do it front of them."

Kumble had claimed his 300th wicket against England at the Chinnaswamy stadium in 2002.

On feeling nervous after the 399th wicket, he said he stopped thinking about the landmark after a while.

"Once you get there you start thinking about that but after a couple of overs I stopped thinking about it and got on with the game, because at that time it was important to break the partnership between Katich and Clarke."

Kumble, who made his debut as a 19-year-old against England in 1990, said he always gives cent per cent for his team.

"My qualities are belief and perseverance. I like to give 100 per cent. Every ball I bowl I think I have something to offer; basically, I keep it simple and try not to do too many things."



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