RC Editor

Playing at Eden Gardens is playing against roaring crowds who will be rooting for their favourite Saurav Ganguly. On the eve of the first match at Eden, Team Royal Challengers skipper Anil Kumble – another favourite of Eden – however reminded that the match would not be played between the two great former captains of India, but between two established teams in the IPL.

RC Editor

Playing at Eden Gardens is playing against roaring crowds who will be rooting for their favourite Saurav Ganguly. On the eve of the first match at Eden, Team Royal Challengers skipper Anil Kumble – another favourite of Eden – however reminded that the match would not be played between the two great former captains of India, but between two established teams in the IPL.

Kumble’s serious tone set the mood of the RC camp. The skipper wants to start off IPL 2010 on a winning note, knowing that the win against defending champions Deccan Chargers have put the Kolkata Knightriders apparently on a high and on a roll. However, an unperturbed Kumble didn’t mince his words when he said, “We want to start off with a win.”

The confidence and the boldness characterised the mood of the camp. Speaking after the net practice at the floodlit Eden, Kumble was categorical when he observed, “The wicket seems to be another belter. I don’t expect it to be tricky at all.” He went one up, “We have perhaps the most balanced side in the tournament with our Indian players being in the best of the forms amongst all the teams.”

The media was agog with the fond memories of 6-12, Kumble’s best figures in an ODI for India, which he achieved on this very ground during the Hero Cup final against the West Indies. But Kumble doesn’t want to sit back on his achievements. “That’s history. I want to look to the future,” the statement speaks volumes on the character of a 38-year retired cricketer who would be playing his first cricket match in about six months.

With Kallis and Boucher having joined the team and Dale Steyn already firing in, Kumble and Coach Ray Jennings are visibly happy with the scheme of things for today’s match. The plans and the strategies are all in place. The last minute checks will be done when Coach sits separately with the bowlers and the batsmen at 11 in the morning and then with the whole team at 2, just hours before the match starts at 4PM.

The execution and the action then shift over to the players and to Kumble to steer the ship. Goosebums! Let it be! It’s a natural foundation towards greatness.