Ganguly’s warning signals to Aussies
Reuters

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 18: Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly says the all-conquering Australian team arriving next month face a tough test tour despite the absence of injured leg-spinner Anil Kumble.

‘‘Without Kumble, bowling will be a bit handicapped. But it won’t be that easy and Steve (Waugh) also knows that,’’ Ganguly said as India prepare to keep their 31-year unbroken home Test series record against Australia in tact.

Anil Kumble, India’s second highest Test wicket-taker and a proven match-winner at home, is ruled out for at least four months after an operation on his injured shoulder on Wednesday. Kumble, 30, who has taken 276 wickets from 61 Tests, was operated on in Johannesburg by shoulder specialist Mark Ferguson after rehabilitation exercises failed. Steve Waugh’s Australians are aiming to extend their 15-match world record Test winning streak but Ganguly said most of the victories were at home.

Kumble regrets missing series: Recovering from a successful shoulder surgery that will keep him out of competitive cricket for atleast four months, ace leg-spinner Anil Kumble today regretted that he would be missing the important series against Australia.

‘‘The problem has come at a bad time,’’ Kumble said.

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