'I am lucky to partner Kumble'

Mumbai, Sep 20 (UNI) Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh today said he is lucky to play alongside a great bowler like Anil Kumble.

''I've been very lucky to have played alongside such a great spinner and have always enjoyed bowling with him. It's nice having quality at the other end,'' he said. ''Over this time and the time I've played with him, sometimes he takes wickets, sometimes I do.

We've been there for each other, backed each other up.'' Emphasising the importance of bowling in pairs, the 'Turbanator' said, ''You have to bowl well in pairs to create pressure. If he (Kumble) is keeping the other end tight, I attack. Or vice-versa.

It depends on who's bowling well and who's not on that particular day who's bowling better in those conditions.'' Harbhajan and Kumble have played together in 53 Tests, and have picked up a total of 498 wickets between them - close to 60 per cent of the wickets taken by the Indian team in those matches.

The duo have played in seven Tests against Australia, and have claimed 78 wickets between them. Kumble has 47 wickets at 25.68, while Harbhajan has 31 wickets at 36.45.

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