Great start to Kumble's stint: Ganguly

New Delhi: The Indian team was pleased with its bowling performance of the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan, but would have liked to bowl them out, Sourav Ganguly said here on Thursday.

Pakistan finished Day I of the first Test on 210-8, but India had the chance to kill off their first innings under 200, when they had been reeling at 142-8 at tea on a wicket that generally favours batsmen in the beginning.

"It was a good wicket to bat on but we bowled fantastically well, in the right areas and got great results. The ball did a bit in the morning because of the moisture, but it got better during the afternoon," Ganguly said at the end of the first day's play.

Ganguly was all praise for new Test captain Anil Kumble, who started his innings with a credible performance both as skipper and bowler.

"He (Kumble) was amazing today. The way he handled the bowlers and the field placements, and made me bowl 12 overs," the former India captain, who took the crucial wicket of Mohammad Yousuf just after the lunch interval, said adding that he enjoys his bowling and it's something which does not involve pressure.

Ganguly, however, mentioned that Pakistan did well to claw back during the later stages of the day's play. "We knew a partnership had to come along, and it happened for the ninth wicket. Mohammad Sami batted really well with Misbah to take it to the second day."

The Bengal batsman added that the team was also pleased with fast bowler Munaf Patel's efforts.

"We are very happy with Munaf. He had to go through a lot of talks regarding his fitness and attitude. I thought it was really harsh on him. But he has made a terrific comeback," Ganguly said on Munaf, who removed Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik for a duck.

Asked if the southpaw felt the pressure of facing the axe to accommodate the in-form Yuvraj Singh, Ganguly replied: "I don't think so. I have had a brilliant 10-11 months since my comeback, and I have been one of the better performers in the Test version.

"Yuvraj has done tremendously well for India in the One-Dayers and is in sublime nick at the moment, and is a genuine match-winner for us. It feels good that he is pushing for a place in the Test side," he explained.

"We have four more days to go, and there is a lot of cricket left in the match," the former captain concluded hinting that Pakistan could still give India a tough fight.