Kumble offers olive branch, says it’s time to ‘move on’

Canberra, January 9 : Quite like his flippers, the Australian side is finding it increasingly difficult to fathom Anil Kumble and his many facets. Seventy-two hours after he stood pleading that accusations relating to racial abuse be dropped — as a more experienced campaigner Kumble was only advising his more reckless counterpart — Kumble today again showed his maturity, offering the olive branch.

Now, as the big picture gets clearer, Kumble not only showed the initiative and discounted a black arm band theory mooted, but said: “I think it's important to move on. Cricket is larger than individuals, and I respect that,” he says with a calm face.

“It was just a temporary setback. As a nation we've played good cricket. I'm proud of the way Indian Cricket teams have played over the years and we'll continue to do that. The relationship between India and Australia has always been good.”

Kumble had kicked up a big storm with his one-liner that suggested that Australian team didn't play true to the spirit of the game.

But the Indian skipper reiterated that the bad blood will not spill over to the Perth Test, when the teams meet again. “It was not that the spirit of the game was attacked, but the focus has been to ensure that better spirit prevails in the game. We are all equal partners in ensuring that cricket is played in the right spirit and, I’m sure of moving forward. Everybody will stick to that. On behalf of my team, I’m sure we’ll play in the right spirit,” he said.

“That comment on the spirit was only meant for the Sydney game. I’ve respected Australian cricketers. I have great respect and regard for all the players who have played for Australia,” he said.

“It was just one of those incidents which everybody has seen, and if people think I had a biased opinion, there has been a poll and people who have seen the game have also said it could have been better.”

Kumble admitted that the last few days have been really tough on the Indian team, and for Harbhajan Singh, particularly, being in the centre of an unnecessary controversy. “It's been tough, very difficult, because it's a very serious issue. The entire team is together in this. The Board is backing us fully, we are all with Bhajji, it's not easy but he seems to be in a good mood.”

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