Kumble wants Dhoni in Ranchi Test

Photo: PTI

New Delhi: Anil Kumble has a special request for former India captain MS Dhoni. The Indian head coach wants Dhoni to be present when India takes on Australia in the third Test at Ranchi; which is also the home ground of captain cool. 

Dhoni will be in Delhi representing Jharkhand in the knock out stages of the Vijay Hazare Trophy when India takes on Australia in the all important third Test. But it is not impossible for the home town hero to turn up for a day during the Test match – at least that’s what Kumble feels.

 “I hope MS turns up during the Test match. Yes he will be busy with Vijay Hazare knock out matches but still if he manages to come for at least one among the five days then it will be great for the team,” said Kumble while addressing the media at Ranchi. 

Come March 16, Ranchi will host its first ever Test match, becoming the 26th Test venue of the country. Interestingly, It will also be first occasion when its favourite son won’t be a part of the Indian team. But Kumble doesn’t believe it will affect the turn out in the Test match.

“Without Dhoni Ranchi will seem different. Nevertheless it will be a historical moment for Ranchi, it’s the first Test here and the Indian team is playing, so expecting good crowds,” said Kumble. 

The Jharkhand Cricket Association on the other hand has left no stones unturned to make sure its first encounter with Test cricket is a memorable one.

"Dhoni is the only icon here. Certainly the crowd will miss him during the historic occasion. But we are trying our best to fill in the stands. We expect to see at least 30,000 in attendance each day," Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) secretary Debashis Chakraborty told.