Anil Kumble’s special liking for Pakistan is well chronicled. Who can forget that Perfect 10 against the arch-rivals in the Delhi Test some eight summers ago! Besides, there have been other fine performances from the leg-spinner that have bamboozled the neighbours on numerous occasions. Kumble might be itching to have another go at them.

Having retired from the shorter version of the game, the Bangalorean will have to wait for another fortnight or so as Shoiab Malik’s men first compete with India in a five-match one-day series starting on Thursday.

Needless to say, Kumble will be the vital cog in India’s bowling wheels when the three-match Test series kicks off on November 22 in Delhi. “It’s going to be an important and tough series. The last time they came here (2004-05) they drew the series. It's important for us to start well in the first Test,” said India’s leading wicket-taker in Tests here on Thursday.

The 37-year-old hoped that the Feroze Shah Kotla ground will continue to be a happy hunting place for him. “Delhi has been a good ground for me and hopefully I will be able to do what I have done at the Kotla before. I hope it will be a good start for me and the team,” stated Kumble, who picked up 10 for 74 against a Wasim Akram-led side in the 1998-99 rubber at the Kotla. Kumble has also taken a whopping 48 wickets in five Tests at this ground.

The leggie, who is in Mumbai leading Karnataka in their season-opening Ranji Trophy clash against defending champions Mumbai from November 3, was speaking after his team’s practice session at the Wankhede stadium.

The genial spinner was also of the view that the three-Test series against Pakistan would be tough though the visitors will be without the services of their former captain Inzamam-ul Haq, who has retired from the game.
“Inzamam is a great player. He's a quality player. It's definitely a bonus for us to not to bowl at someone like Inzy. But Pakistan have a formidable batting line-up with fantastic batsmen in Mohd Yousuf, Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik,” pointed out Kumble, who has 63 sticks in 12 Tests against the neighbours.

On his preparations for the series, Kumble said the Ranji Trophy game against Mumbai and Himachal Pradesh at Bangalore would get him into the groove. “This (match) is a good start.

It has been a while since I have played competitive cricket and against a good opposition, what with Mumbai being the defending champions. I’m looking forward to this game and there's another game (November 15-18 against Himachal Pradesh) before the first Test at Delhi,” felt the bowler.

Kumble, who will have the services of his illustrious Rahul Dravid for the first match, said the former captain’s presence in the Ranji team would be beneficial for the youngsters in the Karnataka side.

When quizzed if he was in the race for the Test captaincy, Kumble said he wasn’t aware of that but mentioned that he has awlays enjoyed leading a side. “I don't know whether I’m in the race, but if it’s offered it would be a great honour. I have relished it whenever I had the opportunity. But that's something not for me to decide,” Kumble stated.