Series would be played in the right spirit: Kumble

Vadodara: Anil Kumble, who led the Indian side during their tumultuous Australia tour last summer with dignity and aplomb, on Tuesday reciprocated to his opposite number Ricky Ponting's call to play the forthcoming series in the right spirit.

"I'm confident the series would be played in the right spirit, no doubt about that. It's going to be good and competitive cricket, as one expects from an India-Australia series," Kumble said while addressing reporters along with coach Gary Kirsten in Vadodara.

Twice they let Australia off the hook in recent past but Kumble hopes to buck the trend this time with the potent cocktail of skill and experience in the ranks.

Kumble was speaking as the Rest of India captain on the eve of the side's Irani Cup tie against Delhi. But almost inevitably, more questions were asked about the four-match Test series against Australia and the veteran spinner too was free and frank with his views.

Looking ahead to the series, Kumble rued both in 2004 at home and last year Down Under, India came close to halt the Aussies before wilting in the final stages. But with a relatively inexperience Australian side at disposal, Kumble says it's time to make amends.

"Last year, we came close to equal, if not win, the Test series in Australia and in 2004, we lost the Chennai Test on the last day because of rain. But this time I think we have got a brilliant opportunity," Kumble said.

"This Australian side is low on experience. I think our vast experience and skill will be our advantage and we have to back it with the right result at the end of the series. All players had adequate rest and the perfect preparation for such a series and we are looking forward to it," Kumble said.

Kumble said he was not losing sleep over the middle order, which looked brittle against Sri Lanka.

"It was one-off series in which our batters didn't perform well. Against Australia, the middle order has done exceptionally well and I'm expecting it to be no exception this time too," Kumble said.

The skipper was not unduly worried about Sachin Tendulkar's elbow injury either, which has forced the Mumbaikar to opt out of Irani Cup.

"Sachin needed time to get 100 per cent fit for the Test series. He is a great player and has done exceptionally well against Australia. The most important thing was to allow him get to that 100 per cent (fitness).

"I'm sure he would join the Banglore camp ahead of the Test series," a confident Kumble added.

In the middle order, Rahul Dravid's form, or rather lack of it, has been a worry for the side, while VVS Laxman too could not do full justice to his reputation in Sri Lanka.

Kumble, however, does not foresee the duo succumbing to the mounting pressure.

"I don't think so. They are players who have handled pressure throughout their career. It's a phase that everyone goes through and I believe it's over. They results we got in the last 10-12 years are thanks to these people," Kumble said.

He admitted India's performance was little inconsistent in the recent past but felt Ricky Ponting and his teammates would find it difficult to beat the hosts at their den.

"India at home is always tough to beat and hopefully it would not be any different this time as well," Kirsten said.

"In the last two Test series against South Africa and Sri Lanka, we were little up and down, the consistency was not there. But everyone in the team now realises that he has a role to play and all are motivated," added the South African.

PTI