PTI

Bangalore, Dec 13: Indian skipper Anil Kumble on Wednesday described the historic Test cricket series win against Pakistan as 'special' and heaped praise on Sourav Ganguly for his stupendous all round show in the series.

"It's great feeling. When you win against Pakistan it's special and it has come at my home ground so really very special," Kumble said after India drew the third and final Test here to clinch the series 1-0.

Kumble singled out Ganguly, who scored 239 and 91 coupled with crucial wickets at appropriate times to be adjudged man of the match and series, for a "special" praise.

"It was team effort. But it was a brilliant batting by Ganguly and Yuvraj (who scored 169) in the first innings and then Ishant came up with five wickets. Ganguly did well with both bat and the ball. He was really special (in the series)," he said.

On his own fiver, Kumble said he bowled fast after a long time in his career.

"There was nothing in the wicket. I have not seamed a ball in last many years. I never realised that I'll have to seam at my home town," he said.

The Indian captain looked confident for the upcoming Australian tour.

"We definitely have the batsmen, who can score and if there are enough runs on the board we have bowlers who can take wickets," he said.

Kumble also showered praise on Pakistani batsman Misbah-ul-Haq, saying he played a major role in the visitor's stiff resistance to Indian attack.

"Misbah was the one guy who did not give us a 2-0 victory in Kolkata. He is a great potential. He showed the character," Kumble said.

Ganguly said his performance was important since it came when most of the players were injured and the team needed him.

"It (performance) was fantastic as most of the players were injured. I have been in situation before, but it is special to stand up when Sachin (Tendulkar) and (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni were not playing. It's been a good year for me and the team," he said.

Asked if he was disappointed for not being able to enter the elite club of batsmen, who scored a double century and a century in the same Test match, he nodded.

"Yes, a little bit. It could have been a very good hundred, perhaps the best knock of the series because the wicket was difficult to bat on," he said referring to his knock of 91 in the second innings.

Pakistan skipper Younis Khan said his team could not play to its potential due to injuries but praised Misabh-ul-Haq and Yasir Arafat for their good performances.

"We had troubles in bowling. Players were unfit but guys like Misbah played well. I had always asked for Misbah (from the selectors). He is a team man. It was a dream debut for (Yasir) Arafat. He is also a fantastic guy."

Younis said his side would use the experience gained during the series in their upcoming tournaments.

"In India-Pakistan series, you learn a lot. In Misbah, we have found a batsman, who is capable and we would like to use him in the future series," he said.