Kumble leaves Murali, Bhajji behind

He will give all he has for India, and while his match winning efforts against Australia in 2001 are still uppermost in many minds, his match-winning examples have often given India the edge when needed. His career stats of 275 wickets in 66 Tests displays how challenging he can be with a ratio of four wickets a Test. This is what is needed to give India the extra advantage with Kumble the ideal foil on many occasions.

While the history at Sinhalese Sports Club, where the first Test is taking place, does not usually favour spin, these is no reason that this can mitigate against the spin of Kumble and Bhajji.

Sri Lanka:

Known as the magician from the hills (he comes from Kandy where he went to school), Murali's action has caused more controversy than most. Yet he has come up smiling and his six wickets a Test strike rate is as impressive as is his 10 wickets a match on 20 occasions is just part of the statistical menu he has provided over the years.

As Sri Lanka's leading strike bowler he has put together man match-winning performances. While Galle is his favourite venue, he has always performed on Sri Lankan surfaces and where he has won more games than any other bowler in history.

That alone is an impressive record as is his record 735 wickets, which is why the Kandy Magician is in a league of his own. Often the doosra spells danger for the batsmen and he had earned quite a few wickets with this delivery that is often bowled with a lower trajectory and beguiles the batsmen into errors.

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