The good part of India's memorable tour to Australia in 2003-04 started here with a win in the second Test, and captain Anil Kumble wants to bank on them.
ADELAIDE: The good part of India's memorable tour to Australia in 2003-04 started here with a win in the second Test, and captain Anil Kumble wants to bank on them to win the fourth Test against Australia at the same venue.
"It is indeed a special moment here as it all started here in 2003-04. It was important for us to win the Test match and the last four years have been fantastic for me personally and for Indian cricket. Here we are again, with the opportunity to level the series. Having done well in the past in Adelaide gives us the added confidence," said Kumble on the eve of the match here Wednesday.
In 2003-04 India took a 1-0 lead in the four match series here, but Australia came back strongly to draw the series 2-2. But it is a reversal of fortune now, as India are trailing 1-2 and will need to win the final Test here to draw the series.
"This is my third trip to Australia and I have enjoyed all three visits. In terms of results the last trip was fantastic and this one as well. As a senior group we came here with a purpose of winning a Test series in Australia. We haven't been able to achieve that but we can go back with our head held high after this Test match, which we hope can win and level the series," the India captain said.
He was hopeful that in future visiting Indian team would be able to take inspiration from their performance and achieve what Kumble and his men couldn't - beating Australia in a Test series at home.
Kumble himself has some cherished memories of Adelaide, because he revived his Test career at the same venue. In his first tour in 1999, the leg spinner was ineffective. But in the last tour, after missing out on the first Test in Brisbane, he was included for the second Test here at the expense of an injured Harbhajan Singh. Kumble never looked back as he picked up 24 wickets from the three Tests he played in the series.
"Indeed a special venue. It all started here in 2003-04. This time for sure this will be my last Test in Australia and it will be nice to go back with a win," he said.
Kumble is also on the verge of another milestone as he is two short of picking up 50 wickets in Australia. Among Indians, only Kapil Dev (51) has managed more.
"The pitch looks very good, and having played in Adelaide before it is a very good surface to bat on. It also assists the spinners later on in the match but it is good to bat first on this track," said Kumble.
The Adelaide Test will also bring down the curtains on the bunch of five players - Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, V.V.S. Laxman and Kumble - who in all probability are on their last tour to Australia.
Asked whether it was possible to replace these players, Kumble said: "It's difficult to replace anybody. You can see that in the current Australian team itself. Every team will undergo a transition. The key is how you handle it. There is definitely a lot of talent in India. It's about ensuring they get the confidence and probably 4-5 years from now, you'll have a good set of players to ensure India goes forward."
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