Ace leg-spinner Anil Kumble says the forthcoming three-Test series against Pakistan is going to be tough in spite of the absence of the visitors' former captain Inzamam-ul Haq, who recently retired from the game.
"Inzamam is a great player. He's a quality player. It's definitely a bonus for us to not bowl at someone like Inzy. But Pakistan have a formidable batting line-up with fantastic batsmen in Mohd Yousuf, Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik," said Kumble, who has grabbed 63 wickets in 12 Tests against Pakistan, including 39 in six at home.
Kumble also said that getting a good start is important for India.
"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 at Delhi," said India's leading wicket-taker in Test cricket at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.
The 37-year-old Bangalore stalwart, leading his state team Karnataka for their season-opening Ranji Trophy clash against defending champions Mumbai from November 3, hoped that the Ferozshah 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. I hope it will be a god start for me and the team," said Kumble, who has picked 10-74 against Pakistan in the 1998-99 rubber at the Kotla.
On his own preparations for the high-tension Test rubber, Kumble said the Ranji Trophy game against Mumbai and the next one at Bangalore against Himachal Pradesh will get him into the groove for the Test series.
"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 am looking forward to this game and there's another game (November 15-18 against Himachal Pradesh) before the first Test at Delhi," said the champion spin bowler who has taken a whopping 48 wickets in five Tests at the Kotla.
Kumble said though he would have preferred former captain Rahul Dravid to be in the international side, his presence in the Ranji team would be beneficial for the youngsters in the Karnataka side.
"I would have preferred him to be in the international side. Good to have his services for Ranji Trophy. For the kind of experience he has, the younger lot in the team will learn by sharing the same dressing room with Rahul," he said.
Dravid has been omitted from the Indian one-day team for the first two ties against Pakistan on November 5 and 8 at Guwahati and Mohali leading to a raging debate in the country.
Kumble said he did not know whether he was in the race for Test captaincy or not, but had relished the leadership role whenever it had been offered to him.
"I don't know whether I am 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," said Kumble, who has led India in a lone ODI against England at Chennai six seasons ago.
