Drastic decision may not help team in long run: Kumble

Bangalore, Mar 30 (UNI) Ace leggie Anil Kumble today sounded a word of caution to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), set to meet on April 6 and 7 to discuss the World Cup debacle, stating that any hard decision against the team may not help it in the long run.

Announcing his decision to call it a day in ODIs, he told reporters here that ''I don't think we have to look at taking drastic steps as it may not help the team in the long run.'' Kumble said ups and downs were a part and parcel of the game.

But, the team's early ouster from the World Cup had degraded it to such a level that all earlier achievements have been forgetten.

BCCI President Sharad Pawar, expressig his disappointement immediately after the team's humiliating defeat in the crucial match against Sri Lanka, had hinted at taking drastic steps and making way for youngsters.

Kumble said the team performed well during its warm up matches against the Netherlands and West Indies. ''But the team did not perform as expected in the opening round.'' About his next target, the leggie, who had to his credit 537 test wickets, said that ''if I get the right opportunity, I may cross 600 or even 700. I will not set any target, but if things come as I expect, I may create a record.'' Asked whether he would have accepted captaincy if it was offered to him, Kumble said ''if I had the opportunity, I would have accepted it. But captaincy is a very difficult job. In cricket, results as well as captain's contributions are important.'' He considered upcoming spinners, especially youngsters like Ramesh Powar, Piyush Chawla and many others would fill his place.

UNI