NEW DELHI, June 17: Anil Kumble has made it clear that he has no immediate plans of retiring from international cricket.

In an interview Kumble said that he would continue to play for India as long as he was motivated and keen. He dismissed speculation about his future, saying, “when they say retirement plans, probably people don’t want me to play.”

Kumble conceded that fitness would play a major role in determining the time of his exit. “I guess I will see how my body feels; I can’t pin point anything. You can never say what is in store for your future.”

At the same time, Kumble praised Andrew Leipus, the team physiotherapist, and Adrian le Roux, the trainer, for the work they put in with the team. “having Andrew Leipus around has also definitely helped, not just the cricketers who just bowl or bat day in and out, but also the younger guys.”

He was sympathetic about trainer le Roux’s decision to quit team India, while stressing the importance of the work le Roux did. “I’m disappointed; obviously we will miss him. It’s a difficult decision for him, I guess. I was reading his reports; he had to take family decisions as well as that of a trainer.”—PPI