MOHAMMAD AZHARUDDIN insists out-of-form Anil Kumble will be back to his devastating best when the First Test against England gets underway at Edgbaston tomorrow.
India's bowling has lacked penetration so far this tour and Kumble's disappointing displays have only added to fears that the Indians lack the firepower to triumph over their rejuvenated hosts in the three-match series.
Leg spinner Kumble's track record revealed him as one of the feared bowlers in world cricket - but so far this summer he has struggled for wickets, with the bad weather throughout May hampering him.
Indian skipper Azharuddin, though, has total confidence in the man who last summer took 105 wickets for English county Northants at an average of 20.40 - and who has taken 109 wickets in his 23 Tests at only 24 runs apiece.
"I am sure Anil will rise to the big occasion in the Test match," said Azharuddin. "He is that sort of cricketer and I am not worried at all about his form.
"In fact we have several bowlers who are proven wicket takers at Test level - and with all our batsmen getting runs in the warm-up matches with the counties, we are in good heart for the Test. We are ready."
