Appanna lauds Kumble

Appanna said the wait for an opportunity did not frustrate him, and termed the time spent with Anil Kumble as a valuable learning session.

“As for me playing at Delhi, I got to know it two matches before because Anil bhai told me early. Delhi is a slow turner, so he told me to be ready. When you are with someone like Anil bhai, you are learning every day.”

Detailing on his interaction with the leg-spinning legend, Appanna said, “Usually, Anil bhai bowls first and then he will tell you what kind of a wicket it is and what line we should bowl. He keeps talking to me and it helps me. In fact, he gives you the option to set your field and if he is okay with it, he will continue with it.”

Appanna added that spending time at the Royal Challengers Bangalore nets, a hub of quality players, helped him. “We have regular practice in the nets and wherever you bowl, it is about getting the right line and length. On your day you will do well, some days you might get hit all over the park but as a spinner you always have a chance.”