Experience will help me: Anil Kumble

The Indian One-Day team for the tour of South Africa has been announced and the man many were looking forward to make a comeback has been recalled. India’s most successful bowler in the ODIs, Anil Kumble is back and looking forward to make his comeback memorable. In an exclusive chat to CNN-IBN’s Sports Editor Gaurav Kalra, Jumbo speaks about his plans.

Gaurav Kalra: Anil how does it feel to be back in the One-Day team?

Anil Kumble: Yes it is good to be back in One-Day scheme of things and I am really looking forward to the South Africa tour.

Gaurav Kalra: Tell me about being out of the One-Day team, You must have thought about it that you were away from the One-Day plan for about a year or so. Did it ever cross your mind that maybe your One-Day career is over and you have just got to look at what you could achieve in Test cricket now?

Anil Kumble: No, I think if you look back in time from the last World Cup in 2003 I haven't really featured in many One-Day games since then, Probably I have featured in 15-16 games. For me having played this long I was only concentrating on what ever cricket I could play and enjoying it.

I mean at the back of your mind you do know that you can contribute in One-Day cricket and the team management was pretty positive on that. Whenever I spoke to Rahul, he did reassure me that I am in the scheme of things.

I was in touch with him for the past couple of months and they all were concerned about my shoulder injury. Now that I am back I knew that I would play some part. So it is good to be back.

Gaurav Kalra: Anil also the Holy Grail is the World Cup -- the big event and everyone is looking ahead to. Your thoughts on that as you said you didn’t have too much role to play in the 2003 World Cup. The team management have you in mind for the 2007 World Cup given the fact that you did very well in the West Indies in Tests.

Anil Kumble: Yes that's a positive thing to look forward to. The World Cup is just four months from now. So not just as an individual but the entire team is preparing for the tournament. But then every One-Dayer is equally important and you need to approach it the same way and ensure that get the right results leading up to the World Cup.

My immediate focus will be to ensure that I get a chance to play in the One-Dayers against South Africa, do well and get my confidence back. Hopefully we as a team also do well in South Africa.

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