Ready to counter Australia's aggressive approach: Kumble

Pune [India], Feb. 21 (ANI): India head coach Anil Kumble has insisted that his team are wary of Australia's aggressive style of play but said that the hosts would put together strategies in place to counter that during the four-match Test series starting on February 23 here at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium. India, who are on an unbeaten 19-match winning streak, will aim to continue their momentum and maintain top spot in rankings when they take on Australia in the upcoming series. Australia, on the other hand, are touring India for a full Test series for the first time since they were whitewashed 0-4 by the hosts in the 2012-13 season. The Aussies later defeated India 2-0 in a four-Test rubber played Down Under in the 2014-15 season. "I think, overall, they are a good side. They have some good bowlers, good batters and you know, the approach they tend to take is to be aggressive so that is something we are aware of and you know, we will put together strategies in place which can counter that," Kumble said in a press conference on Tuesday. "There will be some tough moments in this series and I am sure, you know, the squad that we have, we are capable of, you know, coming up with solutions on the field," he added. The legendary cricketer also said that he feels privileged to be India's national cricket coach. "I have been privileged to have a chance to work this young lot for the last ten months. It's nice to see this squad grow and understand situations and come up with solutions. You want team to be self-sufficient and not look over their shoulders for advice," he said. "I have tried to create an environment where the players can look for solutions on the field and off it as well," the former leg-spinner added. The 46-year-old also said that it has been more satisfying to see Virat Kohli and company become self-sufficient in dealing with challenges both on and off the field. "Some of them have played 40-45 Tests. Virat has played over 50. Achievements as an individual, people have had," he said. He also praised some individual displays, like off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin becoming the fastest to 250 Test wickets. "They have all achieved quite a bit and someone like Ashwin is the fastest to reach 250 wickets in Test history, that's something which is amazing," he said. The first Test in Pune (February 23-27) would be followed by games in Bengaluru (March 4-8), Ranchi (March 16-20) and Dharamsala (March 25-29) (ANI)