Anil Kumble was not only a champion of a cricketer but also a gem of a person. He is regarded as one of the true gentlemen to have played the game. He has been a great ambassador of the game. He commanded respect in world cricket for 18 long years of his cricketing career.
Anil Kumble started off as a medium pacer and only on his brother’s advice he started bowling leg spin. When he made his debut for India people criticized him saying he couldn’t turn the ball but ironically he has got over 600 test wickets, India’s leading wicket taker. He is only the 3rd highest wicket taker in the world after Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne. Kumble was a fighter.
The energy that he brought on the field was tremendous. He didn’t talk much but let his bowling do all the talking hence he was rightly called ‘A silent assassin.’ He was a determined cricketer. He has bowled with a broken-jaw in Antigua against West Indies. Even in the farewell match at the Feroz Shah Kotla, in Delhi, he bowled and took an excellent catch with 11 stitches on his left hand. He is truly a committed player.
Kumble has single handedly won matches for India. In 1999 against the Pakistanis he picked up all the 10 wickets in the second innings at the Kotla. He destroyed his opponents with his variations, accuracy and bounce. He played aggressive cricket but played it with dignity.
His team mate Navjot Singh Siddhu, once called him ‘Jumbo Jet’ for the bounce he got of the pitch. And from then on he is fondly called ‘Jumbo. Apart from his contribution as a bowler, he immensely contributed as a captain. He captained the team for the last few months of his career. He was a very responsible captain. He led his team from the front.
Jumbo was a great student of the game. Even while the leg spinner bid adieu to cricket he said he was still learning the art of bowling leg spin. He was a great personality. The entire world admires the man for what he is and young cricketers look up to him for inspiration. He is down to earth and humble. He was a non-controversial man. He played his cricket with immense passion, focus, dedication, dignity and honour. He will be remembered as a lion hearted warrior who gave his 100% every time he went out there.
Let’s bid goodbye to ‘Awesome Anil’ as he bids goodbye to cricket, the game he played passionately since his school days.
