Kumble, Harbhajan will trouble Australia: Wright

MELBOURNE: Former India cricket coach John Wright feels leg-spinner Anil Kumble and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, sidelined by a finger injury here four years ago, would trouble Australia in the forthcoming series Down Under

Talking to Australian newspaper The Herald Sun, Wright said, "Anil will be a very good Test captain. I am very pleased he has got that job."

Kumble, 37, tormented Australia with 24 wickets at an average of 29.58 in three Tests in the 2003-04 summer.

"There's a situation where you can get a side chasing against quality spin bowlers, 200 can be interesting in the last innings," Wright said.

India must squeeze on Australia in the four-Test series starting on Boxing Day at the MCG, as they did in 2001 and 2003-04 under Wright.

"India has the ability to bat well, get big first-innings runs and put pressure on," Wright said.

"Australia will be tough, though, has a good leader and exciting pacemen like Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson coming on."

Wright dismissed former Australian coach John Buchanan's claim that Sachin Tendulkar was vulnerable to hostile short-pitched bowling early in his innings.

"He's getting older but I don't think he minds a few around his ears. He is probably expecting them," Wright said.