 Chappell puts Kumble on par with Lillee
 Ahmedabad, Dec 17: Ace leg spinner Anil Kumble today came in for high praise from coach Greg Chappell who regarded him as one the greatest bowlers to have played the game.
Chappell said he put Kumble, who would be playing in his 100th Test in the third match against Sri Lanka tomorrow, on par with Australian pace legend Dennis Lillee for his competitive spirit.
"I rate him as one of the great bowlers not only in India but all over the world. He is a fierce competitor.
I have always rated Dennis Lillee as the hardest competitor I have seen and I would put Anil up there with Dennis," said Chappell at a press conference. Kumble is set to become only the fifth Indian and the 34th in Test history to complete 100 appearances in the highest form of the game tomorrow.
"Kumble is a very under-rated bowler. He's got terrific control. He hardly bowled a bad ball right through in the Delhi Test (the second against Sri Lanka where he captured ten wickets). "I could count only three bad balls from him which were pulled. He's got subtle variations, excellent control and consistency," he added in praise of the 35-year-old Bangalore stalwart. Chappell described the Motera wicket as a good one and on which a lot of patience is needed to succeed.
"It appears to be a pretty good wicket, and much like Delhi it would lead to a battle of wits and patience. It's going to be hard work (for both batsmen and bowlers)," he said. Chappell refused to be drawn into a debate over the omission of Ganguly from the Indian team. "I am sure you have a lot of questions to ask about the hot topic of the moment. But unfortunately it's a selection issue and we can't talk about it," Chappell said even before the media conference began.
Ganguly's axing from the team after the second Test at Delhi, where India won by 188 runs, had opened up a hot debate with top political figures too jumping into the fray to bat for the former skipper. Earlier, media manager Baladitya too virtually ruled out any chance of the Bengal stalwart being called into the team as a possible cover for indisposed captain Rahul Dravid. "I don't think there's a need (for calling anyone from outside the team here). The coach and selection committee chairman (Kiran More) have been appraised of Dravid's condition," he said virtually nipping in the bud talks that Ganguly would be flown out here at the eleventh hour. (Agencies)
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