Thus drawing the curtains on a sparkling 18 year career, Anil Kumble, captain of India and one the country’s greatest Test cricketers bid adieu to cricket as he hung up the blue cap, his 132nd. after the third test against Australia ended in a draw at the Ferozshah Kotla in New Delhi on Sunday.
The Bangalore lad, known as Jumbo to his friends, is one of the three cricketers to have earned over 600 scalps in the history of the game, he ends his career with an elephantine haul of 619 wickets.
“It’s certainly tough making the decision to retire when you have played for 18 years,” said Kumble, addressing the media during an emotional press conference on Sunday evening.
“Delhi has been special for me as a player and for the team, but my body was telling me that it was time to go. It had been constantly asking questions of me, and although I tried taking pain killers and was managing to play, the injury I had on the third day helped me make my decision.”
On the third day of the test Kumble hurt a finger on his left hand, the wound took eleven stitiches.
“Eventually it was an injury to the hand that told me it was time,” said Kumble. “The stitches would have been out on November 8, which would have been the third day of the fourth Test, and I don’t want to go into the Test less than a 100 per cent fit. I didn’t want to hurt India’s chances, and I made the decision last night.”
Team mates lifted him up as he took a lap of honor around the ground Sunday evening.
Ricky Ponting, the Australian captain, later called his counterpart one of the finest competitors he has played against.
Legends of the game applauded Kumble’s contribution to the game. Experts saluted him following are a few excerpts.
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.
'Jumbo's resilliance and courage always featured at a high pedestral in experts opinion. Cricket Expert Boria Majumdar believed that the Kumble's decision comes not because of any sort of pressure from former players, but due to injury woes.
Former wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani said, "It is a great decision from Anil Kumble. He has retired on a high note, which is the right decision. He has been of tremendous value for the game and I think this is a timely decision."
Expressing himself was also fromer cricketer Arun Lal who said, "He is passing off an era. He is one of the greatest sportsperson from India. It is unfortunate that he has these injuries."
Turning down speculations that pressure from former players comments led to this decision, former cricketer Bishen Singh Bedi said, "Kumble is too strong a personality to let any other factors distract him. It is injuries that has forced him to quit. However, I was hoping that he will complete the Nagpur test and end his career on a series victory note."
Bedi went on to add, "This was a writing on the wall. I could feel this was coming. But he has done a great job and has made India proud. I wish him a happy and good retirement. He should however, not detach himself from Indian cricket and should continue to contribute off the field."
G Viswanathan, another Bangalorean who made his mark in Indian history, also expressed himself on Jumbo's decision and said, "It is a sad news if any cricketer retires. However, he has served the nationa for 18 years and he is the only Indian to claim 600 wickets for India."
Former pacer and commentator Atul Wasan saluted Kumble's character and said, "He has been a role model for many and it is absolutely unlucky that he got injured in this match. But he has been a perfect example for budding cricketers."
Also applauding Anil Kumble's contribution to international cricket was former Indian skipper Kapil Dev who said, "He has been an ambassador of the game and the country. He was a true fighter and left his mark wherever he went. He played at the best of his abilities and will be remembered for the way he played the game."
Kapil added, "Kumble has played the game in the most finest way. There are very few people like him in the cricketing world, who played the game with utmost perfection. He exuded professionalism in whatever he did on and off the field."
Former chief selector and Indian stumper Kiran More also felt that Kumble's decision had nothing to do with the criticism he faced and it was a 'honest' decision to say good bye to Test cricket.
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.
Former cricketer TA Sekar described Kumble as the best exponent of spin and the greatest spinner that Indian had produced.
W V Raman, who had played alongside Kumble and is currently coaching Tamil Nadu Ranji team which is playing their opening game of the season from tomorrow, said, "Kumble is the greatest ambassador of the game and for the country. He has created a huge vaccum by announcing his retirement now and it will take a long time for cricketers to replace him."
The Bangalore lad, known as Jumbo to his friends, is one of the three cricketers to have earned over 600 scalps in the history of the game, he ends his career with an elephantine haul of 619 wickets.
“It’s certainly tough making the decision to retire when you have played for 18 years,” said Kumble, addressing the media during an emotional press conference on Sunday evening.
“Delhi has been special for me as a player and for the team, but my body was telling me that it was time to go. It had been constantly asking questions of me, and although I tried taking pain killers and was managing to play, the injury I had on the third day helped me make my decision.”
On the third day of the test Kumble hurt a finger on his left hand, the wound took eleven stitiches.
“Eventually it was an injury to the hand that told me it was time,” said Kumble. “The stitches would have been out on November 8, which would have been the third day of the fourth Test, and I don’t want to go into the Test less than a 100 per cent fit. I didn’t want to hurt India’s chances, and I made the decision last night.”
Team mates lifted him up as he took a lap of honor around the ground Sunday evening.
Ricky Ponting, the Australian captain, later called his counterpart one of the finest competitors he has played against.
Legends of the game applauded Kumble’s contribution to the game. Experts saluted him following are a few excerpts.
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.
'Jumbo's resilliance and courage always featured at a high pedestral in experts opinion. Cricket Expert Boria Majumdar believed that the Kumble's decision comes not because of any sort of pressure from former players, but due to injury woes.
Former wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani said, "It is a great decision from Anil Kumble. He has retired on a high note, which is the right decision. He has been of tremendous value for the game and I think this is a timely decision."
Expressing himself was also fromer cricketer Arun Lal who said, "He is passing off an era. He is one of the greatest sportsperson from India. It is unfortunate that he has these injuries."
Turning down speculations that pressure from former players comments led to this decision, former cricketer Bishen Singh Bedi said, "Kumble is too strong a personality to let any other factors distract him. It is injuries that has forced him to quit. However, I was hoping that he will complete the Nagpur test and end his career on a series victory note."
Bedi went on to add, "This was a writing on the wall. I could feel this was coming. But he has done a great job and has made India proud. I wish him a happy and good retirement. He should however, not detach himself from Indian cricket and should continue to contribute off the field."
G Viswanathan, another Bangalorean who made his mark in Indian history, also expressed himself on Jumbo's decision and said, "It is a sad news if any cricketer retires. However, he has served the nationa for 18 years and he is the only Indian to claim 600 wickets for India."
Former pacer and commentator Atul Wasan saluted Kumble's character and said, "He has been a role model for many and it is absolutely unlucky that he got injured in this match. But he has been a perfect example for budding cricketers."
Also applauding Anil Kumble's contribution to international cricket was former Indian skipper Kapil Dev who said, "He has been an ambassador of the game and the country. He was a true fighter and left his mark wherever he went. He played at the best of his abilities and will be remembered for the way he played the game."
Kapil added, "Kumble has played the game in the most finest way. There are very few people like him in the cricketing world, who played the game with utmost perfection. He exuded professionalism in whatever he did on and off the field."
Former chief selector and Indian stumper Kiran More also felt that Kumble's decision had nothing to do with the criticism he faced and it was a 'honest' decision to say good bye to Test cricket.
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.
Former cricketer TA Sekar described Kumble as the best exponent of spin and the greatest spinner that Indian had produced.
W V Raman, who had played alongside Kumble and is currently coaching Tamil Nadu Ranji team which is playing their opening game of the season from tomorrow, said, "Kumble is the greatest ambassador of the game and for the country. He has created a huge vaccum by announcing his retirement now and it will take a long time for cricketers to replace him."
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