A visibly elated Indian skipper Anil Kumble termed the 1-0 Test series win over Pakistan as a special one.
"It is a great victory. It's always special to win a Test series, be it at home or abroad, and to win it against Pakistan is special. The 1-0 margin is fine, it was important to win the series," Kumble said here on Wednesday.
Asked if this Pakistan team didn’t show the fight of teams of the past, he countered, "If Pakistan hadn't bounced back, we would have won the series 3-0. They did bounce back in Kolkata when wickets were down and Misbah and Kamran ensured they got to safety."
Kumble, however, did not attribute Pakistan's collapse in the post-tea session to the nature if the pitch. "The pitch was the same but there was not enough bounce. It is hard at Test level if you have to get people out with balls that are keeping low and we had to adjust."
Declaration
On a query about the delay in declaration, Kumble said, "There might be people who would say that we should have declared earlier and some others who would say we should have batted on. That's all ifs and buts, but if we had known the weather would be like this, I might have declared yesterday itself!
“On this track, the only option to get wickets was when the ball kept low, which means you needed ten balls to keep low. That could happen in 40 overs or in 150 overs! I think whenever I declared was the right decision."
The Bangalorean praised the alliance between Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh in the first innings. "I thought we did well after being 61 for four on the first day. We had to stand up and be counted.
“We lost two crucial bowlers earlier and two critical batsman just before the game. I think Sourav and Yuvraj played brilliantly to take us to safety and ensured that there could be only one winner in the game."
Praise for Ganguly
The veteran leg-spinner also praised man of the series and man of the match Ganguly for his fine show in the series. "Sourav is in the form of his life, and I hope he carries it on and continues to score in Australia."
On his captaincy, Kumble said, "It's for others to say. I do sit down and analyse my game, but I don't award points to myself. For me, I had to ensure that we win the series and play to the best of our ability."
Laxman fine
Kumble also allayed fears on VVS Laxman's injury. "It was a bruise and he should be fine. It was a nasty blow, but there is no crack.”
Looking ahead to the Australian tour beginning in a week's time, Kumble said, "It's comforting to know that all your top batsmen are in great form.
“We have the batters to get the runs on the board. We have the best players to compete in Australia. I am sure the few injuries would be okay. I think we are well equipped."