Anil Kumble, Australia at Kotla 2008 Test Match

It is not surprising to see Australia feeling the heat, the likes of Shane Warne felt the same, and if I am right Shane Warne does still considers the Indian tour as the most challenging he ever faced, where he had to face a battery of onslaught from the Indian batsmen particularly SR Tendulkar, Sachin quite remarkably worked out a comfortable stance against the genious of Warne and there was no respite for Warne throughout the Tour, if I am right was the Tour of 2001 at which India eventually won the series. Though much Credit goes to VVS Laxman for his immortal 281, after India followed on to Win the Test at Kolkata's Eden Gardens, where also, Bhajji took six wickets in the Australian Second Innings. The final Test saw some fireworks from Sachin's blade and India won a Tour against a dominant Australian side in a long time. During my small research I found Anil Kumble the present Indian Skipper who the media is out asking for his retirement day, took some 13 wickets in an inconsequential drawn Test match in 2004 at Chennai. In the first Innings he has figures of 7/48 under 18 overs thus putting Australia under pressure in the first innings as it managed only a 235. And in the second innings he fights with a big heart to see India win with figures of 6/133 in 43 overs. It is no wonder the Australian Captain would not like to see Kumble under the Aussies throat, particularly in this series, because experienced Kumble is more of a threat against the inexperience of this Australian side.

Australia might find some respite due to Harbhajan's injury, it will be interesting to see how Amit Mishra combines with Anil Kumble to bowl in tandem. First day at the Kotla Test 2008 belonged to India backing on a splendid hundred from Gambhir. Australia will have to make a last ditch effort on the second day morning to restrict India around 400, though the chances are very remote for that as India looks very comfortable to score around 600. Kotla is a traditional hunting ground for Anil Kumble, how the punter plays the hunter is the battle on cards.