Ishant Sharma's troublesome ankle could pave the way for Vinay Kumar's Test debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 26. If the opportunity comes, Vinay is ready to grab it. "I am not thinking on those lines (that I am the favourite to replace Ishant if he's not fit for the MCG Test). I try to play to my strength, which is to bowl wicket to wicket. Yeah, if I get the chance I will be more than happy and ready for it. These conditions would help me and I would be happy if I could make my debut here," he told reporters yesterday.


Vinay Kumar

Vinay felt that his speeds of 130-135 kmph were enough on Australian wickets, which offer extra bounce. "I can generate swing, and that's more than enough to trouble batsmen. I played for four years in a row in Australia, three years with Karnataka team and the last time with India 'A'. In my second year here, I got the best bowler's award. Last year too, I did very well for India in the Emerging Players Tournament," he said.

Vinay said he was drawing inspiration from Praveen Kumar -- who too was previously stereotyped as a one-day and twenty20 specialist. "I played Ranji Trophy cricket for eight years for Karnataka, took 250 wickets. Praveen and I are similar kind of bowlers. If he can do well, I too can. The year after I got the best bowler's award, (Vernon) Philander of South Africa got it. He is more or less a similar kind of a bowler--same kind of pace and swing. If I can bowl in right areas and right length, I can do the same," a confident Vinay vowed.