The Hindu

• State Government felicitates leg spinner for claiming 500 wickets in Tests 

Bangalore, Apr 6: India's premier spinner Anil Kumble has stressed that he still believes that he has a role in one-dayers. Addressing presspersons after the State Government felicitated him for taking 500 wickets, Kumble said: "Our one-day team is doing well, and it will be good to be part of a successful team. I am enjoying this break now and I am sure I still figure in the scheme of things, and the World Cup is still a year away."

At the function to laud Kumble's feat, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy exhorted the genial leggie to get past Shane Warne and Muttaiah Muralitharan. The Chief Minister also emphasized that the Government would consider Kumble's request for land to set up a sports academy. During the course of the function, Kumble was gifted the traditional "Mysore Peta," a shawl and a cheque for Rs. 5 lakh.

In his thanksgiving speech, Kumble recalled the exploits of Karnataka sporting icons such as Prakash Padukone, Mahesh Bhupathi, Arvind Savur and Pankaj Advani.

"I request the Government to grant me land to set up a sports academy that will focus on cricket and other sports too. I will set up a committee with our sporting icons and will take their inputs in running the academy," Kumble said.

He, however, was quick to point out that retirement is still a "long way away." "Now that the Chief Minister has asked me to go past Warne and Muralitharan, I guess retirement is far away," said Kumble.

Kumble also termed State-mate Robin Uthappa as a "very good talent." "I am sure given the opportunities he will do well," Kumble said.

He, however, refused to be drawn into a discussion on Sourav Ganguly. "This is not the stage for it and, besides, this is a function to honour a Kannadiga who has done well, organized by the State Government," Kumble said.