A man apart

Anil Kumble has retired and another of the warriors that triggered the golden age of spin bowling during the 90’s has retired.

Kumble was vastly different from most spinners due to his modus operandi. In comparison to Warne, a fellow legspinner, Jumbo relied less on venomous turn and more on his topspinner and wrong ‘un.

One thing Kumble, Warne and Murali share in common is their relentlessness. Once Jumbo got into a bowling grove, he relentlessly bowled until he had a wicket. His performances have won India more matches than any other player India has produced. In terms of match winning effectiveness, Kumble was worth more than even Sachin Tendulkar.

In the Australian tour of 2003/2004, Kumble, who has returned from injury to replace Harbajan Singh and turned out to be India’s defining influence. He took 5/154 in Adelaide, 6/176 in Melbourne, and 8/141 in Sydney on his way to a 12 wicket haul. He highlighted his great heart and stamina through the uncounted arduous spells he bowled.

He was only the second person to take 10 wickets in an innings, taking 10/74 against Pakistan in 98/99, and he crowned his latter career with a test century in India’s triumphant tour of England, scoring India’s only century of the series.

Jumbo is arguably India’s finest spinner during a time when India rose to prominence as a real force in World Cricket. He became India’s captain and achieved all his greatest achievements with a quiet dignity that belied his inner toughness.

If India win this current series, there can be no greater tribute to two of their retiring heroes than defeating their greatest foe, Australia.