Patience is the key: Kumble

It was Anil Kumble's 34th birthday on Sunday and the Aussies gave him a birthday present that he will not forget in a hurry.

The world's best team had their backs to the wall at the end of day three, but they fought back like tigers on the fourth day and in the process ensured that the leg-spinner ended up bowling a marathon 47-over spell.

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His six wickets took him past Wasim Akram in the list for highest wicket-takers in Test cricket. Kumble, who took 6 for 130 in the Australian second innings, now has 415 wickets, ahead of Akram who finished with 414 wickets. 

So did Kumble really enjoy his spell?

"Well, bowling 46 overs in a day is not exactly a very good birthday present. Spinners bowling from both ends it was a tough task in the heat. I think Zaheer Khan did a very good job to provide us relief," said Kumble.

Irfan Pathan, however, bowled only one over with the second new ball and one wondered whether he was carrying an injury.

"Irfan was just not able to get his rhythm today. As far as I know, nothing wrong with him, no injuries."

The pitch has been perfect for the Test match. But it seems to be getting easier to bat on.

"The wicket was slower today and not that much bounce. So we had to try harder to get the wickets. As a result, I had to pitch the ball a little further up than in the first innings."

Damien Martyn's 104 was a crucial knock and without his application and determination the match might well have been over on the fourth day.

"Martyn is a very good player and today he was prepared to wait for the ball to come to him and that was the biggest difference. Patience is the key and that's what we need from our batsmen as well."

But the main point of discussion was whether India can eke out a victory on a day five pitch. India have successfully chased a fourth innings target of 200-plus only once at home. Interestingly, that performance had come against Australia at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai in 1964-65 when India reached 256 for 8 after being set a target of 253 in the fourth innings.

"I think the target is gettable. At the start of the Test if anyone had asked us, if we would want to be chasing around 200 on the final day of the Test with 10 wickets in hand, I think we would have gladly taken that," Kumble added.

"I think the first session tomorrow will be very important and if we can get through it, we should be able to get the target."