Kumble looks to exploit home advantage

Bangalore8217;s favourite son is nearing a milestone and the whole town, it seems, is gearing up for it. Incidentally Kumble8217;s 100th 1995 and 300th wicket 2001 came at this venue 8212; hence the expectations from the leggie are rising by the day.

And he doesn8217;t seem too burdened by the weight of expectation. Commenting today on the strip, he said: 8216;8216;It is pretty dry 8212; it is going to be a good wicket. It is going to spin, though it depends when and how.8217;8217;

His personal milestone apart, Kumble is aware of the role he has to play for the team, protecting India8217;s wonderful home 35-year-old Test record against Australia. Ever one for the challenge, Kumble has the biggest stage in which to excel and the advantage of a good track record against the Aussies see box.

So will he use his home advantage? 8216;8216;We all start on an even keel. I have not played here much. The last Test was against England 2001, so there have been long gaps. Even the wicket has been relaid two years ago, so I really don8217;t know much about it.8217;8217;

Kumble has been written off in the recent past but he8217;s bounced back with 39 wickets in his last six Tests Pakistan and Australia. In fact he played a crucial part in India8217;s sparkling Test form last season, remarkable when you consider that, in the absence of Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh, he was strike and stock bowler.

He has also been the cornerstone of Indian overseas Test revival in the last two years. His role in the wins at Headingley, Adelaide and in the Pakistan series have only been well documented, but the man himself puts it all downto experience. 8216;8216;When you play international cricket for 14 years, you stop worrying about the conditions and concentrate only on the opponent.8217;8217;

He8217;s been there, done that and so probably does not have much to prove going into the series.

The only bad news for him could be the fact his mate in all the battles in the last decade, Sachin Tendulkar, looks a very doubtful starter and would not be around to fetch his cap or sweater like in his magical spell of 10/74.

Though like Kumble, the batsman joined the team, he did not take part in the nets.

In his absence the Indian batting nets presented a likely scenario of the Test batting order, with Aakash Chopra and Virender Sehwag taking first strike, with Yuvraj taking the No 6 spot.

Ideas and strategies have known to change overnight, so this might as well.