Anil Kumble bets big on new pace trio

Pune: Rajasthan pace duo of Aniket Choudhary and Nathu Singh and Kerala's Basil Thampi are on the radar as far as the future of the Indian cricket team is concerned, coach Anil Kumble said here on Tuesday.

"We have Aniket Choudhary, (Basil) Thampi, Nathu Singh as part of our scheme. Before the New Zealand tour, we had Jayant Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav as part of this kind of a crew who helped us prepare for the Tests," Kumble told reporters ahead of India's first Test against Australia, beginning here on Thursday.

"I haven't had a chance to work with them. I hardly get time to look at other domestic bowlers so I try and engage them ahead of a Test match," he added. The Indian team management has been talking about the importance of fast bowlers in the Test side, showcasing examples where the pace battery has helped them win matches.

"It's not necessary that they will be part of the squad in near future, but looking at the series coming up or even far ahead, it's good to have them in the scheme of things and bring them into the work culture that we all expect and is needed for success at the international level," Kumble said.

"In Chennai (fifth Test against England), not many gave India a chance to win (India won by an innings and 75 runs). Even in Mumbai (fourth Test against England), we lost the toss but we won by an innings (and 36 runs) and even in Chennai."

"Even in Kolkata, we played New Zealand, it was difficult and our seamers won it for us. We are not worried about pitch or conditions," the legendary leg spinner added. Commenting on the pitch here, Kumble said the 22-yard strip seemed good.