The Hindu : Sport : Yuvraj will have to wait: Kumble

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Thursday, Nov 22, 2007
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Yuvraj will have to wait: Kumble

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Debutant Test captain Anil Kumble has put an end to all the speculations surrounding Yuvraj Singh’s possible inclusion in India’s playing eleven for the first Test against Pakistan.

Addressing mediapersons on the eve of the three-Test series opener at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground, Kumble described the Punjab left-hander as a “quality player,” a man in “tremendous form” and someone who is “important for the side.” However, he was quick to add, “But I’m afraid he would have to wait a little.”

He also said, “He is a pillar of the side. It’s tough to leave him out. It’s unfortunate but that’s the way it is.”

He also indicated that Harbhajan Singh would get the nod ahead of Murali Kartik. “I guess, it would be me and Harbhajan but the squad will be finalised tomorrow.”

On India’s pace attack, he said, “it is unfortunate that Sreesanth and R. P. Singh would miss the match but I think, injuries are part and parcel of the game. Munaf (Patel) has done well in the past and is in good form in domestic games. We have also asked Ishant (Sharma) to join the squad.

Ishant was due to join the Delhi team for its Ranji Trophy clash against host Mumbai this week but was asked to stay back and join Munaf Patel as a replacement for the injured Sreesanth and R. P. Singh.

When asked about how it felt to lead a team with three former Test captains Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid besides the one-day international skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Kumble did not think it would make his job tougher.

“I am a positive person and I believe I would get inputs from them as well.”

As a captain, Kumble feels his responsibilities have increased off the field and his media interactions grown but on the field, it was more or less the same.

About playing his first Test as captain at the Kotla ground, Kumble exuded confidence and said, “Delhi has been nice to me personally and to the team as well. I am looking for a great start here.”

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