Jumbo was ''fantastic'' in his first match as captain: Ganguly

New Delhi, Nov 22 (UNI) Anil Kumble was ''fantastic'' on his first day at office, believes former India captain Sourav Ganguly adding that India's overall bowling performance was good, even though they were unable to finish it off with Misbah-ul-Haq and Sami sharing a 68-run unbroken ninth-wicket partnership.

Lavishing praise on India's new captain Kumble, Ganguly said, ''He is fantastic. Even when he was not the captain, we knew he has the potential to wear the hat.'' ''He set the field very well. Moreover, he made me bowl 12 overs,'' the southpaw said, with a bit of mischief.

When asked about the bowling performance of Team India on the first day of the first Test, Ganguly said, ''It would have been better if bowlers could have polished off the tail. But even then it was a good team performance.'' The 35-year-old Ganguly showered praise on pacer Munaf Patel saying, ''I am very happy for Munaf, especially as he was making his come back.'' ''He had the capablity but there were some criticism which were not justified. In his come back match, he bowled very well,'' he said.

Ganguly also gave credit to the two Pakistani batsmen Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammed Sami for their unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 68 runs.

''We have to give credit to Sami and Misbah for their batting display.'' But quickly added, ''To be honest in every Test there has to be at least one partnership.'' When quizzed if the early morning dew helped Team India, Ganguly was quick to point out, ''It always swung a bit in the morning in Delhi, especially in the winters. But we bowled in the right areas.'' ''There was movement in the pitch in the morning and even after lunch,'' he added.

''There is lot of cricket left in the match and we have to bowl with discipline,'' Ganguly said, when asked to predict the outcome of the match.

UNI