India confident of Australia win
Monday, 17 Dec 2007 22:52
Anil Kumble hopes to become the first Indian captain to pick up a series win in Australia
India captain Anil Kumble believes that his side have the ability to rack up a first-ever Test series win away to Australia in their forthcoming tour.
The spinner has just guided his side to a win over neighbours Pakistan and is now hopeful of adding an away victory against the world champions to recent successes on English and West Indian soil.
"That [winning a Test series in Australia] is the aim. I believe we have the potential to do the job. Last time, we came close to winning the series, and we are confident we can do it this time," he said.
When they toured Australia in 2003-4, Sourav Ganguly led India to a closely-fought 1-1 draw in a four-Test series.
The batsman has made a remarkable return to the international arena after seeming to drop permanently out of favour with the selectors in early 2006 and is also hopeful that this team can go one better.
"It will be a massive series in their backyard, they are a very strong team - probably the best in the world - so we will really have to raise our game if we are to compete," he told the BBC World Service.
"Definitely if we can put runs up on the board that will be the key and put us in a position to get them out."
India will open their campaign with the traditional Boxing Day test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground before traveling to Sydney, Perth and Adelaide and finally competing against the hosts and Sri Lanka in a triangular one-day competition.