Anil Radhakrishnan Kumble is definitely beyond doubt one of India's greatest match-winners, perhaps even the greatest. Anil Kumble is a legendary figure now in Indian cricket after 18 years of distinct service to the country. He remains still a larger than life image and continues to be a role model and inspiration for the generations to come.
Anil Kumble is a bowler above par who has beaten the odds time and time again to do one thing he loves - play cricket in his country's colours. A medium pacer turned leg spinner, Anil Kumble has a very unorthodox bowling style. He is faster through the air, and unlike a genuine orthodox leg spinner, he fails to turn the ball much. Despite this, his unique bowling style has resulted in the fall of many batsmen and Kumble stands tall as the highest wicket taker from India with 619 test wickets and the third highest, behind only Warne and Muralitharan in the world. Kumble relies more on bounce and seam rather than the conventional flight and turn and with his consistent nagging line and his subtle variations, he sure made life a hellish experience for even the best of the lot. His control and accuracy was enormous and he could bowl and get wickets on an ice rink. Jumbo is most famous for his trademark 'flipper' and the faster one which has trapped countless many dead in front of the stump.
Kumble's accomplishments on the field are jewels. The figures he has accumulated are just astounding. He has to his name, 619 scalps in test cricket with 35 five wicket hauls and 8 ten wickets haul, and in the shorter format has 337 wickets. Kumble's finest moment with the ball came against Pakistan on Feburary 4th 1999, when he emulated Jim Laker's efforts by picking up all ten wickets in a single innings. This statistical anomaly is surely one that will not fade with time. Kumble's figures of 26.3-9-74-10 (read as O-M-R-W) is something that happens once in a millennium or rarer. Added to this magical spell, Kumble has a test century against England, which is something the great Shane Warne lacks in his trophy cabinet.
A fierce competitor on the field, Kumble would come at the opposition with all his strength no matter what. He was a tiger who roared before every fight and was a courageous warrior every bit. An African lion would envy such qualities. Added to those warrior qualities were, virtues such as patience, perseverance, and a confidence that knew no bound. Kumble was a fierce rival who would keep coming at the batsmen, and any resistance by the batsmen only made him more determined and to keep coming harder. Perhaps the greatest witness to this is former Australian skipper, Steve Waugh when he said,
“This man is amazing, he never tires and keeps coming stronger over after over."
Kumble is one of the big thinkers and is studious by disposition. He has a degree in mechanical engineering which he got with high distinction. Kumble is a bowler, who thinks on his feet and is street smart. Behind him, is an ever constantly working mind that plots the demise of batsmen. He knows when to go all out and attack with fire and when to step down and bowl a constant nagging line. He plays with the batsmen's minds and toys with them by setting them up for the faster, straighter delivery. Many world class batsmen have gotten more times than not, trapped plumb in front after a few loopy deliveries outside the off stick or the leg. Kumble is a bowler who can bowl aggressively as well as defensively and was the perfect bowler any captain could ask for. Like all bowlers, he hated getting hit away for runs, but if getting hit meant wickets, Kumble would happily oblige. If the opposition got away and was having a run riot, the skipper would often turn to his best bowler, and Kumble would respond positively by strangling the flow of runs or getting a break through. Kumble was one of the rare players who revelled under pressure and big moments. He enjoyed bowling against the best and continually tried to improve his game. Kumble was a bowler who would bowl for a long spell under hot and humid conditions and always with a smile. He enjoyed the responsibility and made sure that he gave his everything to do justice to that. He was a fighter who loved combats and would fight with his last ounce of energy even in a losing cause. He was a great asset and Mohammad Azharuddin, and Sourav Ganguly were more than lucky to have such a weapon in their ranks. The greatest tribute for Kumble and his value to the team was paid by former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly when he said,
“When the score is 250 for 1 and you are looking around the field, there is always Anil who looks you in the eye and is ready to bowl, no matter what the situation is.”
He was a selfless cricketer who played for the joy and pride of playing for his country and never played for records. His work ethics and commitment are unquestionable and the many sacrifices he has gone through only make him every bit more legendary. One of his finest moments came in Antigua in 2002, when he bowled with a broken jaw that was heavily bandaged. Under the influence of painkillers and pure determination, Kumble with stitches in his jaw, sent down 14 overs eventually getting the price wicket of Brian Lara. Kumble will be remembered for his high standards of work ethics and commitment. Even in his last match, he bowled with a heavily bandaged hand and his last wicket, his 619, was one that he caught of his own bowling. Kumble will be remembered as a perfectionist and a selfless cricketer who did his best for the team every time. In his last match, when asked if he had any regrets, he replied in the negative and said,
"I'd like to be remembered for giving 100 percent for the team every time I went out there."
Kumble the player might have been a fighter, and a warrior who loved to see the fall of a batsmen, but he never let any success or victory go against his principles and the game. He played in the spirit of the game, in an era, where principles and morals often get overshadowed. He stood his ground, when he was right and backed his morals and principles. Kumble is the perfect ambassador of the game, who after 18 years of International cricket has a very clean report card. He is respected and admired by teammates and opponents alike, not only for his achievements but also for being a gentleman. He has never tarnished his name, or the game which he proudly plays. In the midst of fire during the 2007 Australian tour, Kumble the skipper stood firm and resilient, amidst racism allegations, foul play, and bad umpiring. He echoed the famous words said by former Australian captain Bill Woodful during the devastating 'body-line' series,
"There are two teams out there, and only one of them is playing in the spirit of cricket..."
The words showed just how much the game meant to Kumble and that nothing could differ him from that. He was hailed world wide and even people in Australia came out in direct support.
A story of Kumble can't be complete without mentioning his love affair with Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi. Kumble has an amazing record at the ground and his figures at Kotla are simply mind numbing. He has 58 wickets in seven Tests at Kotla, including his perfect ten against Pakistan. Perhaps it was destiny that the giant bid adieu to international cricket at Kotla.
Kumble the bowler was devastating, but Kumble the batsmen showed just as much temperament and logic. He was a player who put a prize on his wicket and never threw it without a fight. He has been part of so many rear guard plays for India and often the lone resistance from the lower order. Kumble has a century to his name, and perhaps it is this that separates him from Warne.
One of Kumble's finest moments came when he was appointed as captain of India in November 2007. Being of the most senior player, India with Kumble at helm had one of the best people for the job. He was well experienced, and had all the qualities to become a successful skipper. And this he did, with great success. Kumble became a mentor and a great role model in the side. He was a great a teacher, and helped the younger players adapt to the international level. Youngsters saw Kumble as a role model and a warrior who would not lift his hands to kill even a fly, but someone who would certainly do all to destroy a batsmen on the field. He was a warrior with a big heart who would only topple over batsman. Kumble's discipline and preparation before and during matches and his words of guidance always helped the new-comers feel at home. Leg spinner, Amit Mishra who considers Kumble as his mentor revealed that it was Kumble who first called him to tell him of his selection, rather than the selectors. The team's admiration towards their captain was seen during his send off at Kotla.
Kumble was also another player who made many a comebacks. His comeback in 1992 made him a permanent player for the team. His comeback in 2001 after a shoulder surgery only showed his resolve and temperament.
Kumble after retirement has taken to spending more time with his family and pursuing his hobby of photographing, but cricket continues to a very active part of his life. Being part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kumble continues to showcase his brilliance. In the first season, his team finished second last, and after some big power shifts within the team, involving many sackings and step downs, Kumble found himself at helm. In the second season, the team looked rejuvenated and with Kumble at the steering wheel, RCB came within 6 runs of victory only to take the second place. Kumble had taken a team from the very bottom of the tables and turned it to a winning team that was hungry for victory and feared by opponents. Kumble's exploit with the RC team is now legendary and under him, RC look to take the title that so dearly eluded them last year.
One of the biggest reasons I admire Kumble is because of his humbleness and simplicity. Despite his mountainous achievements, he continues to be a very ordinary being, and it is this that makes him truly extraordinary. I had the privilege of meeting the great man a few months back, when I went to cover an event for Royal Challenger's Bangalore. Meeting him was an amazing experience and it showed me just how down to Earth Kumble was.
India was privileged to have a player called Anil Kumble, and likewise we are privileged to have watched him play. He is a legend whose name will go alongside Bill O'Reilly, BS Chandrasekhar, Erapalli Prasanna and Bishen Singh Bedi. One of the images of Kumble that is etched in my memory forever is, Kumble down on one knee bellowing out "Hozzzzzzzzaaat" to the umpire, with the bemused batsmen left wondering his fate. Hopefully many more of such incidents occur in the IPL. Kumble was the perfect team player who served the country selfless, but more than that it is the man that he is, that makes him a true legend.
"Legends are defined not by what they achieve but by who they are."
- Anonymous
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