Indian bowling spearhead Anil Kumble on Saturday said that the regional cricket academies started by the Board of Control for Cricket in India was a good step in developing the game.

"I have only been to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) at Bangalore. It is really good and I hope that it will help in producing talented cricketers", he said speaking to reporters in Mumbai.

The ace leg spinner, who was in the city to give away prizes of Brunswick bowling tour, was of the view that there was a need to nurture talent and these academies were one way of doing it.

However, Kumble refused to comment on the much talked about contract system for the players. Speaking about his fitness after the shoulder operation he said he was hoping to be fit for the forthcoming Sri Lankan tour from July 1 to August 3.

"Though my shoulder is getting better, it is too early to say when I will be fully fit", the ace leggie said and added that he would play some matches before deciding anything.

© PTI