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#INDAvAUS: Want the team to be self-sufficient - Anil Kumble

Kumble aims to create environment where players learn from each other and find solutions on and off the field

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India opener Murali Vijay (left) at a training session in Pune on Tuesday ahead of the first Test against Australia. (Right) Chief coach Anil Kumble oversees India’s optional nets
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Despite a majority of the Indian Test players not choosing to train two days ahead of the first Test on a sultry afternoon here on Tuesday, Anil Kumble was watching the fringes of the squad go about their business as a hawk.

With the bowling attack opting to rest, the Indian chief coach used his time to fine tune domestic bowlers in Aniket Choudhary, Nathu Singh and Basil Thampi, who have been asked to train with the Indian team in the days leading up to the first Test in order to replicate the challenge the Aussie pacers will pose for the batsmen.

The left-armer Choudhary was asked to bowl quick and full, much like how Mitchell Starc would come in the Test series.

While keeping one eye on regulars like Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay, Kumble was also constantly having a word with Abhinav Mukund, Karun Nair and Kuldeep Yadav – who are unlikely to be part of the XI on Thursday – during their time out under the sun.

It's the legend's way of making the bench-warmers feel a part of the scheme of things, that despite not being in the team, they are very much part of it.

And, it is part of a larger vision that Kumble has for Indian cricket while at the helm.

"I'm really privileged that I've had a chance to work with this young lot over the last 10 months, to see them grow, understand and come up with solutions," Kumble said here on Tuesday. "At the end of the day, you want the team to be self-sufficient. You don't want people to keep looking behind their shoulder for advice. That's what I'm trying to create, an environment where each one learns from the other and then tries to find a solution on the field and off it as well," he added.

Despite having to chop and change players in every single game in India's home season – due to a mixture of injury, conditions and form – the Indians have managed to remain unbeaten in the nine home Tests, and indeed 13 since Kumble took over as coach.

"That's what has been really encouraging for me as a coach, and that's what I have seen over the last 10 months with this group of players. I don't think any two Test matches has had the same playing XI. And that's been the beauty of this team. It doesn't matter who is playing, at the end of the day whoever is part of the XI has contributed. And whoever is not and is a part of the squad, he has also contributed," he said.

Kumble knows his boys will have to do exactly the same in the four Tests against the Aussies, and that's why the management has decided to keep a squad of 16 even for this series at home.

The latest bunch of visitors bring with themselves a unique set of challenges, and a sense of unpredictability. India-Australia series have always been a rung above any that the Indians play but the former leg-spinner is refusing to up the stakes.

"Of course, we all know the Australian team, they're really professional and we'll like to treat them as any other team. I don't think we need to attach any other significance to the series rather than look at ourselves and ticking all those boxes that we've been doing over the last six-eight months," Kumble said.

Those unique set of challenges that Australia bring comprise dealing with a better pace attack than the previous teams that have come here, and a brand of cricket that can catch the Indians off guard.

Who else but Kumble to know that better.

"Overall, they're a good side. They have some good bowlers, some good batters. The approach that they tend to take is aggressive, so that's something that we're aware of. We will put together strategies in place that can counter that," he said.

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