India's bowling has found depth: Walsh

Author : Amitabh Sharma

Kingston, March 5 Former West Indies captain and pacer Courtney Walsh believes that Indians have found depth in their bowling attack with leg spinner Anil Kumble back in the side.

'I had concerns about the Indian bowling attack,' Walsh said. 'But with Kumble back in the side now, Indian bowling has found the depth and the experience.'

According to Walsh, Kumble is a consistent and unpredictable bowler who can do wonders in the World Cup.

'He can turn and swing the ball around and if the pitch favours him, he can be a match winner,' Walsh said.

Kumble is among the three bowlers, after Shane Warne and Muthaiah Muralidharan, who surpassed Walsh's record of taking most wickets in test matches.

In 2001 on his home ground of Sabina Park in Jamaica, Walsh beat the record of 434 test wickets set by India's Kapil Dev. During his career (1984-2001) of 132 test matches, Walsh took 519 test wickets before retiring in 2001.

Walsh was also upbeat about former Indian captain Saurav Ganguly's comeback in the team. 'Great players don't disappear that fast,' Walsh said. 'He (Ganguly) has found the form and should make a good impact.'

Walsh's World Cup favourite team is the West Indies team. He is confident that they will break the 'home team' jinx and win the World Cup.

'I am supporting the West Indies team, through and through,' said Walsh. 'People might call me crazy but I am throwing my weight behind them and wishing that they will win.'

Walsh's other favourites to reach the finals are Australia and South Africa though he doesn't rule out Pakistan either. 'They (Pakistan) are one team to watch out for, they are unpredictable,' he said.

And Walsh's dream final...he would want history to repeat itself. 'I have been telling my friends, I would love to see a India and West Indies final (like in 1983 when India won the World Cup), but this time we will win.'

(c) Indo-Asian News Service

Source : http://www.earthtimes.org