His first public test as KSCA president sees him get the fans' tick of approval

Kumble gets a warm welcome

His first public test as KSCA president sees him get the fans' tick of approval

Way to go: Fans display a placard that reads, 'Kumble, Srinath coolest
administrators'

When Kumble appeared on the big screen, the crowd roared their approval for the new top man. Not even the Indian team's dismissals of the Kiwi batsmen got a similar response.u00a0

Kumble, who won the presidency on November 21, is gaining a following among fans of the game due to his stature as a former player and popular decisions that are seeing more fans able to get tickets. Kumble announced a new dispensation that will see fewer passes to matches released, instead allowing more regular citizens to buy tickets.

One group of fans held up a sign saying "Kumble, Srinath coolest administrators" to show the support of the public for his new administration, which includes other former players Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad.u00a0

"I think Kumble will be a good president since he is not just another bureaucrat," said A R Gurudatt, a longtime cricket fan from Srinagar, who was at the game. "The association can't run properly if you go on giving out passes."

He added, "The money will come in handy for development of the stadium, and Kumble would know what the people, since he is Bangalorean himself."

Kumble was reported to be nervous about his big first assignment, but if the reaction he got is anything to go by, he would enjoy success as an administrator after his stellar playing career that saw him snare over 600 test wickets.

The biggest challenge the retired leg-spinner will face, would be making sure the new tickets actually get bought by the public. Large sections of the western stand and members stand were empty during the Kiwi Innings.

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