It is said that the memory span of the average Indian fan is one week, perhaps less. In Anil Kumble's case, that may not be such a bad thing. The last ball he bowled in one-day cricket was a quintessential Kumble rocket. Bermuda's Malachi Jones stood stupefied - and better batsmen have suffered similarly - as the ball pitched in line, hurried inexorably on, and crashed into pad, trapping him plumb in front.
That's the kind of ball Kumble should be remembered by.
Kumble, who announced his retirement from the one-day game today, has not been India's first choice spinner for a while now. But the last few years of his career should not obscure the fact that he was once a one-day bowler who was next to impossible to attack - captains routinely bowled him inside the first fifteen overs when a fast bowler struggled, and then at death - and even harder to counter defensively. If you let him push you back, it was only a matter of time before he nailed you.
The 6 for 12 in the final of the Hero Cup should burn as brightly in mind as the torches that 100,000 Kolkatans held aloft at the Eden Gardens when India won. It should slip no one's attention that he was
the top wicket-taker in the 1996 World Cup, outperforming Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan in the subcontinent.
Just statistically, the evidence is staggering. Till October 20, 2000, he had played 208 ODIs, picking up 274 wickets at an average of 28.56, conceding just 4.20 runs per over. Then, playing against Sri Lanka in Sharjah, he suffered a rotator cuff injury to his right shoulder.
Careers have been ended by lesser setbacks. There were suggestions then that he would never play international cricket again, and even if he did, that he would never be the bowler that he was. That's partially true.
Kumble spent 339 days in surgery, post-operative care, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, mentoring bowlers from the sidelines with one hand
in a sling, till he returned to action against South Africa at Johannesburg on
October 5, 2001. From then to now, in the unequal second half of Kumble's career, he has played 63 ODIs taking only a wicket a game, at an average of 41.03.
It's not surprising then, that Kumble has been in and out of the eleven since that setback. Through further aggravation of the injury, dips in performance or withdrawing himself from series, Kumble has missed an astounding 107 of the 170 matches India has played since
then. In that sense, it has been a career of two parts for Kumble. The second, with the unflattering ODI figures, is when he had all but lost his flipper. It was when the pace and zip had reduced just enough to take him from being lethal to merely threatening.
But Kumble the person, just like Kumble the bowler, is not the sort who gives up. He re-invented himself, bowling slower through the air, tossing the ball up more, finding a subtler googly to go with his telegraphed one - little finger pointing in the air like an antenna. He came round the wicket more. And all this worked magnificently in Test cricket. Happily, it coincided with a phase where India's batsmen were finally putting decent scores on the board overseas, which gave Kumble a chance to do his thing, and refute the charge that he was a home-track bully.
Michael Atherton wrote that there were times when he sensed that Curtly Ambrose, hisemesis, was going to bowl a yorker, and shaped to play accordingly, only to find that his off stump flattened anyway.
With Kumble at his best, it was much the same. Like some natural disasters, you could forecast and predict all you liked but, when the strike came, there was nothing to do but run for cover.
When he took all ten Pakistani wickets in an innings in that famous Delhi Test in 1999, the civic authorities in Bangalore promised to name a street after him; they settled for a traffic junction, calling it Anil Kumble Circle. Now, as he calls time on his one-day career, his achievements in the blue shirt should not be belittled just because he has achieved so much more in whites.
Comments
Posted by: Rashmin Dattani on 03/30/2007
What was more attractive about Kumble is his dedication, positive attitude and his modesty exhibited on the field and off it. He always kept his feet grounded and never stopped trying. Amazing attributes-Anil we all salute you and wish you well in life.
Posted by: Chinmay Patil on 03/30/2007
A fighter cricketer...that's how I will describe him. Nobody can forget the test match in West Indies when he came onto field with a bandage around his face. That's why he is still India's number one spin bowler in Test Cricket. Thanks Anil for all the entertainment you have given so far and we hope to see you soon in India's next test series.
Posted by: Anup on 03/30/2007
What about Kumble the batsmen. The 1996/97 Titan cup match between Australia and India. Both the Bengalooru (Srinath and Kumble) batsman won the match for India with a 50+ partnership for the 9th wicket. Wish you good luck Mr. Kumble or Mr. Humble.
Posted by: Ganesh Holla.V on 03/31/2007
what a Cricketer!!! gave everything while playing, didnt matter which level he was playing in, always made it a point to give 100% everytime he went on the field. If you look at it...it is kinda sad that he could not finish on a high note...we have always done this to our heros....so this does not come as a surprise either. Well its good that he would still be part of the test team...so i am sure we can expect Indians to fare better in the longer version of the game....now its time for all of us to stand up & applaud this great hero of ours as he decides to retire silently with out any fuss, regret or tantrums, just the way he bowled....Jumbo....thanks for everything...all the wickets....all the Victories.....more than anything else...thanks for being such a great role model for everybody.....Thanks Jumbo...we would miss you!!!!
Posted by: Mohan on 03/31/2007
If only India had a few more players with Kumble's work ethic and heart. He's been a role model on and off the field and a flawless human being. India will miss you Anil.
Posted by: MP on 03/31/2007
One more thng abt him is the scene in west indies (i don't know the tour dates but would be happy if soemone could tell) ..where he played with bandaged jaw ..woo that was too scary and eye moistening.. with me watching that as a teenager taught me a lot .. i didn't quite remember abt that other kumble injury (especially the time he was not playing.. i thought it was lot less...339 days is a big comeback)
Posted by: Mahesh on 03/31/2007
He was a great player and a great person. We will always remember you. Wish you all the best in your life.
Posted by: krishna n. lamani on 03/31/2007
anil is a goond contributer to cricket. he not only take weakts, he was won millions fans hearts by his on field as well as off field behaviour.
Posted by: Babu Prasad on 03/31/2007
Kumble is indeed a man who diserved more opportunities and honours than what has been given to him.
Posted by: Dr. Sanjay Pandey on 03/31/2007
No doubt, it would be very dificult for India to find another Kumble. He is a very gentleman in his personal life. He stil has ability to get all ten wickets in an innigs.
Posted by: SR on 03/31/2007
Hats off to one of the greatest! Whenever people thought he is over... Mr.Yes always came up with 10 surprise overs... and have forced the people to flip their judgement on him, with his flippers!
talking about his bowling how can we forget about his contribution with the bat..! I still remeber his heroic batting along with Srinath at Bangalore against Australlia on a Dussehura day (Don't remeber the year and trophy name)! Will wait to see his flippers in test!
Web Feeds
