September 04, 2008	Thursday	Ramazan 3, 1429

NEW DELHI, Sept 3: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram feels that it is time for India’s Test captain Anil Kumble to bow out of the game and hand over the reins to Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

“I respect Anil for what he has achieved. He has done enough for India and I think it’s time for him to take a bow at a time when he is still counted as one of the best,” Wasim was quoted as saying on Wednesday .

Kumble has played 130 Tests and picked up 616 wickets at an average of 29.33. It is the third-highest tally in history, behind fellow spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne.

In 271 ODIs, Kumble picked up 337 and is now just 50 short of 1,000 international wickets.

Asked, who is the man to replace Kumble, Wasim said: “Dhoni is the right man because he is young and aggressive and is a person who feels his responsibility.”

Meanwhile, Dhoni’s leadership qualities got another thumbs up from India’s cricket coach Gary Kirsten who said the ODI skipper was now ready to take over the Test captaincy from Kumble.

“He (Dhoni) is ready for it (Test captaincy) but there is no need to rush as of now. Anil has done an exceptional job, he is a great leader and he is toiling in many overs for India. He is prepared to do 30 overs in a day. But he is on the other side of the game.”

“MS is a great thinker. He has got fantastic skills in terms of understanding the situation. He is the best ODI batsman in the world. He plays every situation really well. He is a very good keeper as well,” Kirsten told a TV channel.

Asked about Yuvraj Singh’s prolonged poor run of form, Kirsten said this break would help him to make a strong comeback. “You too go through that. They have an extended run of form, then confidence drops. Sometimes the break does a world of good.”

The South African also heaped praise for Dhoni’s batting and his mental faculty which has made him the best ODI batsman in latest ICC ranking.

“I am not surprised that he could do it because he is capable mentally. I think he has worked his heart out. It is fantastic to have him in the team,” he said.

— Agencies