Kumble is only the second Indian after Kapil Dev to have taken more than 300 wickets, and was left out of the Test team for the first time since 1990.

"I think we miss Kumble. It's little bit hard for a man of his calibre to sit out of the game and I really feel sorry for him, but that's the way things go sometimes," said Srinath.

Click here for scorecard from Port-of-Spain: West Indies (197-6) trail India (339) by 142 runs

The right-arm seamer said the dismissal of batting superstar Brian Lara had enhanced India's chances of putting pressure on the West Indies.

"I think Zaheer (Khan) did the best by getting the prize wicket of Lara," he said.

Left-handed Lara compiled 52 before being caught by debutant wicket-keeper Ajay Ratra off left-arm fast bowler Zaheer.

"We couldn't afford Lara to get too many runs. His was the key wicket because as long as he was at the crease, batting looked easy. Zaheer bowled well to get him out."

Srinath said his team had a chance of getting other batsmen out once Lara was dismissed.

"We were really looking for his wicket. Once we got him out we knew we had a chance of getting others out quickly.

"It's a very demanding pitch, when someone like Lara is at the crease because he can hit the good balls all over the place. But if you bowl well and be patient, you get wickets."

After Lara's departure, Srinath removed Shivnarine Chanderpaul for one and Junior Murray for nought in the same over to put the hosts in a spot.

Responsibility

"Being a senior member of the side you have to take more responsibility," said the fast bowler, 32.

"Getting wickets quickly is a responsibility shouldered by all the fast bowlers. Of course, with my experience I should lead the attack and the guys are doing pretty well."

He said his team now had to take the remaining four wickets quickly.

"The way the wicket is playing I think it would a tough task for any batsman to come and play well on the last day."