India captain Anil Kumble showered rich tributes on Muttiah Muralitharan saying the ace off-spinner can scale the 1000-wicket mark in Tests.
Muralitharan became the world's highest wicket-taker in Tests on Monday when he took his tally to 709 wickets surpassing former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne, who had 708 wickets to his credit.
"I spoke to him yesterday and told him he'll get to 1000," Kumble said.
The leggie said that Muralitharan had told him that even he could get 1000 wickets in Tests. However, Kumble, who currently has 578 wickets, said: "I'm not sure I can cross 1000."
The Indian captain pointed out to his unbelievable figures in Tests and said his strike rate is fantastic.
"It's a fantastic effort to get to 710 in the number of matches he has played. He's just picked up his 61st five-wicket haul and I told him I thought he'd get to a 100 (five-wicket hauls)," said Kumble.
Gaurav Kalra: It’s the morning after the famous win. Did you wake up this morning and think if it was a dream?
Anil Kumble: No. I think it was something which we all wanted to achieve and I am really glad that you know the morning before was a bit nervous and uneasy going through. But then having achieved what we set up to I am really proud of the fact that we were able to do that.
Gaurav Kalra: Yes, I will talk of pride Anil, but there has been several moments now. Do you know there was always this talk of overseas win and it’s built of big time in India. There has been a few now. Adelaide, Headingley, Jamaica in 2006. Moments like that recently. All these victories and suddenly Perth comes along. Now as someone who thinks a lot about the game, where do you place this one?
Anil Kumble: Right on top. You know, all those victories that you mentioned were very special. You know not many teams have come to Perth other than the West Indies and have won against the Aussies and this is the first team from the subcontinent to win here. In terms of the condition and in terms of the pitch, it suits the Aussies much better than anywhere in the world. So coming here to Perth and achieving the victory after what the team had been through, is something very special.
Gaurav Kalra: Now you spoke about the pitch, Anil. There was a lot of talk about it. Of course, all of us in the media tend to think we are experts on wickets and we understand all of the business on wickets. But here it seems it become even more exaggerated to the talk about the Perth pitch. How did you manage to psyche a young bowling attack about the spot and also to keep the batsmen focused?
Anil Kumble: I think, you know, the most important thing is like you mention, the media certainly psyche the visiting team regarding Perth, regarding the pitch and every thing that comes along. So in that sense it was important to keep focus on. And the focus was on to get us a victory in Perth. Because that would certainly ensure that we stay in series. And so, yes, that was the focus.
Gaurav Kalra: And now, was there a focus on not to read newspapers?
Anil Kumble: No, not really. I am someone who doesn’t really bother about you know, what comes in the newspapers and it doesn’t affect me. I mean, having played this long, you love to go though newspapers and see what kind of comments are there. But you know, that does not really, I can switch on or switch off something which I can do. Yes, that was the message across to all the players not to get too involved in what comments come along. But, you know, personally I don’t get of it.
