Print

Mail

wiki links

Anil Kumble recovers from fever to face Bangladesh in the second and final Test

Indian cricketer VVS Laxman (left) throws a ball watched by team mate Sachin Tendulkar during a practice session at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

India's bowling spearhead Anil Kumble is fit to torment Bangladesh as the tourists seek a series win when the second and final Test starts in Dhaka today.

The 36-year-old did not bat or bowl in the rain-savaged first Test in Chittagong due to fever.

India lean so heavily on the veteran for wickets that the other bowlers allowed Bangladesh's ninth-wicket pair of Mashrafe Mortaza and Shahadat Hossain to put on 77 and save the follow-on, and with it the Test.

"Anil is a proven match-winner in any conditions," said Indian captain Rahul Dravid ahead of the decider at the Sher-e-Bangla national stadium, a new Test venue.

Both teams were praying for a rain-free match after bad weather in the port city of Chittagong wiped off 15 of the stipulated 30 hours of play in the drawn game.

"It is very frustrating when you lose half the match to rain," Dravid said. "There is little one can do about the weather but I just hope we get some good cricket in."
This story has been viewed 839 times.