Anil Kumble, aka Jumbo, is one of the most distinguished achievers that Indian cricket has witnessed till date. As he celebrates his 47th birthday, this is the perfect occasion to remember some of the greatest moments in cricket history, contributed by the former spinner. Not only his spectacular performances but the level of dedication is still cited as traits of an ideal player.
Making a debut at the age of 19, he represented Bangalore after which he was selected for the international level. Whether it was test or ODI, Kumble’s game was spot on. He has played more than 132 test matches and led the team to victory, several times.
Kumble’s 10/74 Against Pakistan (Image Courtesy: DNA India)
Anil Kumble and his memorable matches
Glancing upon the highlights of Kumble’s Career, here’s a list of some mind-blowing instances when the spinner displayed his talent:
• On February 7, 1999, during the second test of the two-game series against Pakistan, Anil Kumble became the second player in the Cricket history to take all ten wickets of the innings. Helping India towards its first win in 19 years against this opposition, Kumble limited Pakistan to 10/74.
• May 2002, on the third day of the fourth test against West Indies, Kumble showed an exceptional level of dedication when he played with a bandage tied around his face. Despite a sickening blow that broke his jaw while batting, the leg-spinner was adamant on bowling. In the 14 overs that he bowled, India was able to get the much-needed wicket of Brian Lara.
Sunil Gavaskar appreciated this effort of Kumble in a perfect quote saying, “Cricket has a way of producing inspiring tales of valor for the country and this ranks at the top.”
• November 27, 1993, Kumble set an Indian record of 6/12 against West Indies that remained unbroken until 2014 after Stuart Binny’s 6/4 against Bangladesh. India won this match by 102 runs and Anil Kumble was declared Man of the Match.
• In 2007, during the final test between India and England, Kumble showed the world that he could be equally good with the bat as he was with the ball. He was at 97 when he drove the ball towards the boundary and celebrated his first test century.
Kumble Playing with a broken Jaw as he took Brain Lara’s Wicket (Image Courtesy: Times of India)
Anil Kumble and the Cricket Records:
Anil Kumble, the man who served India as a player, as a captain, and as a head coach, has been a valuable gem for the country. Let’s look at the records that he has set in his cricket career:
• He became the fastest Indian bowler to reach 50 test wickets in 10 matches, however, the record was later broken by Ravichandran Ashwin who achieved the same in 9 matches.
• Kumble holds the record of 25 caught and bowled dismissals in tests.
• After Kapil Dev, Kumble became the second Indian bowler to take 400 test wickets in a lesser time span.
• He was the second player in Cricket history after Shane Warne to score 2000 runs and take more 500+ test wickets.
• In January 2008, Anil Kumble became the first Indian bowler and the third bowler in the world to attain the landmark of 600 test wickets.
• Kumble has the record of an Indian bowler capturing the maximum number of wickets against Australia.
• His 10 for 74 against Pakistan in 1998 is regarded as the second best “Bowling performance of all time” by Wisden.
Apart from these incredible accomplishments, the player was one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1996. He was also honored by the Indian government with Arjuna Award in 1995 and Padma Shri in 2005. Amidst a plethora of awards, records, and honors that he has received, Kumble has stopped playing but he never stopped living in the hearts of cricket lovers.
