London: Surrey coach Alan Butcher says he has pinned high hopes on Indian legspinner Anil Kumble as the club seeks to return to County Championship Division One.
Butcher wants Kumble, India's leading wicket-taker of all time, to play a key role in the second half of the season after he arrives on Monday.
"Anil is a world-class spinner with a great deal of international and first class experience," said Butcher.
"His ability, character and professionalism will be a great addition to the dressing room, as we push for promotion into Division One," he was quoted as saying by BBC Sports.
The Bangalorean, who is veteran of 110 Tests, will play his first match for Surrey against Somerset at Guildford, starting on Wednesday.
Kumble took 23 wickets in India's 1-0 Test series victory over the West Indies, the first on Caribbean soil since 1971.
Kumble is also one of only two bowlers ever to take all 10 wickets of a Test match innings, with 10-74 against Pakistan in Delhi in 1999.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
More on IBNLive Right Now
TOP NEWS
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
