Test captain Anil Kumble announced his decision to retire
from test cricket after the drawn third Test against Australia
in Delhi today.
Anil Radhakrishna Kumble,born on Oct 17, 1970,is without doubt
India's greatest bowler of all time -
not only in terms of wickets but also by being a member of the
winning team on more occasions than any other bowler in the
history of Indian cricket.He started off as a medium-pacer,
later became the world class leg-spinner that he is..
He made his debut in England in 1990.
He is the only bowler other than Jim Laker to take 10 wickets
in an innings, a feat not easy to achieve.
He is the third highest wicket taker in the history of Test Cricket.
Inaddition to his 619 test wickets,he has taken 337 ODI wickets as
well.He also has a hundred to his credit.
Kumble was the main weapon with which India over the years
created a fortress in India.India won most of the home series
during Kumble's illustrious career.Towards the end of his career
he played a big part in many of India's outstanding overseas test
wins,which would have given him immense satisfaction.
All through his career,his humility,simplicity,dedication stands out...
What more tribute he can have than what his fellow cricketers said
about him..
Sachin Tendulkar described Anil Kumble as a great player and said
that he will be an inspiration for generations to come.
"It's truly an honour and privilege to have played in the same era.
He will remain an inspiration for the next generations. To become
another Anil Kumble one will have to work really, really hard,"
he said.
Tendulkar recalled a match in Antigua when Kumble came into the
match with his jaw in bandage and got Brian Lara out.
"This is one match I can't forget," he said to emphasise that Kumble
had a "big heart". "He is one sportsperson who has a big heart".
"I have not come across a greater cricketer, who is good so dedicated
to his work," he added.
Rahul Dravid, Kumble's predecessor as Indian captain and his statemate
from Karnataka, described the leg-spinner as the country's greatest
cricketer.
"He is an extraordinary man with extraordinary career. It's been a
privilege to play with him," he said.
"It was emotional for all of us but it's a great time to celebrate
the farewell of one of India's greatest cricketers," he added.
Another former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who would be playing
his last match in Nagpur next week, also echoed similar sentiments
and said Kumble would be missed by the team.
"Anil is probably topmost of all. In that way he will be missed.
I do not think his boots will be easy to fill. It will take quite
some time.
Talking about a few memorable moments, he shared with Kumble, Ganguly
said, "His coming out to bowl today despite the injury, taking that
catch yesterday with 11 stitches in his hand and the hundred he
scored at The Oval, there are lots of them. He is very special,"
he said.
Chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth summed up the reactions,
saying he was an extraordinary cricketer and a role model not
only for youngsters but also for future generations.
"He must have decided (to retire) during the course of the day.
He spoke to me during tea time and said that he has decided to
call it quits. It's the end of an era," he said.
"A lot of players in the team, I cannot tell you the names,
were in tears when he told them his
decision.
"It was an emotional moment for the team and me. He was an
extraordinary cricketer, a great role model, not only for the
youngsters but also for the future generations," Srikkanth
said.
Former India captain Kapil Dev described Kumble as a "true
gentleman" and a "true fighter".
"Anil Kumble is a true fighter, always had this never-say-die
attitude and is thoroughly a true gentleman," Kapil said.
"He never got involved in any controversy and whatever he did
he did it to the best of his abilities," he said adding that he
is "great ambassador of cricket,"he added.
Australian skipper Ricky Ponting lauded Kumble, saying that he
was proud to have played against a celebrated opponent like him.
"I would like to congratulate Anil for his long and successful
career. He is a great competitor and every single player of my
team, who has played against him, is proud of the cricketer,"
Ponting said after the third Test, which ended in a draw at the
Ferozeshah Kotla ground here on Sunday.
"I wish he will enjoy his time after the game," Ponting added.
Meanwhile, Kapil rubbished suggestions that there was pressure on
Kumble to quit.
"I think it is time when we talk about what he has done for the
country.He played the game most professionally."
On the void which will be created by Sourav Ganguly and Kumble's
exit, Kapil said one will have to wait and see what the future has
in store.
Legendary off-spinner EAS Prasanna described Kumble as one of the
finest spinners that India produced.
"He is a thorough gentleman, very strong minded, man of integrity
and one not to be influenced by external forces," Prasanna said.
"I think he pre-poned his decision in view of his injury problem,"
the 68-year-old spinner said.
Former Australian captain Allan Border said the Kumble's decision
has come as a shock to him and described it as a sad day for Indian
cricket.
"He is a fantastic a cricketer and a human being who played his
game in the right spirit throughout his career. It is a sad day
for Indian cricket. It actually came as a shock to us. We will
have to wait and watch, how India copes up without Kumble,"
he said.
Echoing the sentiment, another ex-Aussie captain Ian Chappell said
the void left by Kumble would be hard to fill.
"It is very difficult for somebody to get into his shoes. He is a
cricketer who never compromised his dignity and always played with
determination," he said.
Former Indian all-rounder Ravi Shastri felt the timing of Kumble's
retirement is just perfect but the champion bowler would be missed.
"Kumble was a real, out and out professional. It is definitely a
sad day for Indian cricket. You won't realise the impact of his
retirement now but when you won't hear his name after some days,
you will his void," he said.
"He decided to retire absolutely at the right time. A few days back
I wrote in a column that you don't have to tell Kumble when to retire
because being a true gentleman he knows when to take the call."
"Kumble left the game with utmost respect. He showed his true
sportsmanship in Australia," he added.
Ex-India stumper Syed Kirmani said Kumble has been an exceptional
servant of the game.
"It is the right time for him to retire, the best time that Kumble
would have looked for. He has done a great job for India and is
leaving on a high," he said.
"He has made his debut under me in the state. He has been a
dedicated,sincere, honest,disciplined and good thinking and a
great champion cricketer and on the basis on these I can say
that I have literally seen him grow and establish himself as a
icon and a legendary cricketer both on the field and off it,"
he added.
Former pacer Madan Lal, who was part of the 1983 World Cup winning
team, said he was surprised by Kumble's decision and did not expect
him to retire in the middle of the ongoing Test series against Australia.
"It has taken me by surprise. He could have played the Nagpur Test and
could have gone after winning the series against Australia or even after
the England series.It is a difficult decision for any player and he has
taken it.
"Nobody is going to be his successor, no one can replace Kumble.
He is one of the finest leg-spinners in the world. Over the years
he had developed variety in his bowing by working hard.
I rate him very high," Madan Lal said.
Lal, however, also refused to believe that it was pressure by media
and the experts of the game that forced Kumble to quit.
"I do not think it was because of any sort of pressure.
Media is going to be with you every time.
If your play well they will praise you and they will criticise
you if you play badly. And I think, Kumble has taken it well in
his stride. At the end of the day he is a gentleman," he said.
Former Test cricketer and Yuvraj Singh's father Yograj Singh was
also of the view that Kumble was not the one to take decision
"under any kind of pressure".
For a person like me,who has not
seen an Indian test team without Kumble
(instances when he was injured excluded),
there are no words to describe Kumble's performances
over the years..He has been simply amazing.
Let's all wish him a happy life ahead..
Thanks a lot Sir...
Also read below a report from timesofIndia:-
As Anil Kumble ended his 18 long years of illustrious career, the outgoing India captain didn't forget the practice he has followed at his favourite venue Ferozeshah Kotla for the last nine years.
When Kumble came out to bowl for the last time on Sunday, Sachin Tendulkar walked up to him to take his cap and give it to the umpire. An emotional Kumble told him "one last time" to end the tradition that started in 1999 when the leg-spinner bagged a 'Perfect 10' in an innings against Pakistan.
In what started as a good-luck charm became a tradition which the two stalwarts always maintained whenever they played at the Kotla.
And on Sunday, it was indeed an emotional moment for the two, as Tendulkar took Kumble's cap one last time.
"Today when he took the cap, I said to him, 'one last time'. It all started here in 1999 when he took the cap from me and said you'll get a wicket this over. That continued till today but unfortunately I didn't get a wicket in the last hour," an emotional Kumble said as he bid adieu to international cricket.
His sudden decision took the cricketing fraternity by surprise and also nothing could have been arranged by the Indian cricket board to give a fitting farewell to a great cricketer, who showed extraordinary courage and commitment on the field.
A good Sunday crowd went numb when the two giant screens flashed a one-liner saying "Anil Kumble has decided to retire after this match and will not travel to Nagpur for the final Test," but soon raised slogans hailing Kumble.
But Kumble remained unmoved. Whether it was bowling with a broken jaw in 2002 or with 11 stitches on his little left finger, he has always been a fighter and lived up to it even in his last outing.
Kumble was given a huge standing ovation when he led the team for the last time on to the field in the second innings. His team mates cheered him and the Australians patted him.
When he came out to face the media sporting the faded India cap, he looked emotional and despite so many achievements over the years he stood with all humility.
"This cap means a lot to me. I've cherished this cap. It's a very proud privilege to have got this. I know how hard I had to fight to get this cap and how hard it is to play at the international level. It's a proud moment to represent a billion people whose expectations keep rising each time you go out there," he said.
"It's not easy to satisfy all those people who are watching. But I'd like to thank all those people for the affection they have showered on me and the Indian cricket team. There have been tough times and rough moments, we have given the fans some sad moments and sorrow, too, but we've also given them happiness."
Even on his last day on the field he tried to be a fighter, but felt that the energy has waned with time.
"I fought that, I took various painkillers and tried all sorts of things, but ultimately the injury to the hand said 'enough now.' It was the right time to move on," were his last few words sporting the India cap.
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