India's coach Anil Kumble has acknowledged the quality of New Zealand's three-man spin attack for the India series, and stressed that his team's approach would be to adapt to the behaviour of the 'typical Kanpur' pitch. The first Test of the three-match series against New Zealand begins on Thursday.
> Read: 'Batting struggles against spin due to changing formats' says Kumble
"I watched the two spinners out of the three in the [World T20] where they played a significant role in the progress for New Zealand. We know that New Zealand is a very potent team, not just in the spin department but in their all-round abilities as well. They have all three variations: left-arm spinner, off-spinner and a leg-spinner. That's something that you don't see in a foreign team," Kumble said.
Kumble said the pitch 'looked good' but maintained that the Indian pitch conditions in general are not a mystery any more for teams arriving from abroad.
"The challenges to adapt to these conditions as quickly as possible are the same for the home team as well. You're playing so much of cricket, it's all about adapting. The home team certainly has the advantage of knowing and growing up in these conditions, but for a foreign team, since they travel so much, the conditions are no longer alien."
Kumble expressed solidarity with members of India's armed forces who lost their lives in the Uri terrorist attack on Sunday, and indicated that the Indian team may wear a black arm-band condemning the incident.
"We certainly honour their martyrdom. It is never easy for their families. As the Indian team, we certainly salute the bravehearts, and in terms of our respect, that will always be there."
Kumble confirmed there will be no addition to the 15-man squad selected for the Kanpur Test despite the absence of Ishant Sharma due to chikungunya. Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are the other seamers in the side.
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