Too many ‘things’ went against us: Kumble

By IANS

Sydney : India captain Anil Kumble did not hide his disappointment at the dubious umpiring decisions during the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here, as he couched his words by saying ‘things’ while meaning decisions, and said what had happened on the field had not gone unnoticed.


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“There were too many things happening on the field which everybody witnessed. Even today, there were couple of things that didn’t go our way,” a visibly hurt and anguished Kumble said after the SCG Test, which India lost by 122 runs to put India 0-2 down in the four-Test series.

Kumble, acknowledged the world over as a gentleman cricketer, was dignified and composed even as he made clear that ‘things’ (read umpiring) did not go right. He himself led the team in an exemplary fashion, bowling superbly for four wickets each in either innings and then batted for a fighting and unbeaten 45.

The man who has a century at Lord’s to his credit faced 111 deliveries but was left helpless and stranded in the closing stages.

“The entire team lost a little bit of focus (because of those decisions). You represent your country in the sport you love, but at the end of the day if such things happen on the field, it is really difficult to control your emotions,” he said.

“However, in spite of those things, the boys fought hard in all the five days, but eventually we couldn’t save the match.”

The Indian captain also hinted at some big changes in the squad for the third Test at Perth that begins on Jan. 16.

“From here we go to Canberra where for a three-day game and there we will look at other guys who still are yet to play a game in the series,” Kumble said.

Before the third Test match, India will play a three-day game against ACT Invitational XI in Canberra from Wednesday.

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