A true champion

Anil Kumble has retired from international cricket!

I, generally, do not write articles unless something within myself strongly urges me to do so. This incident has certainly provided that strong urge.

Courtesy the usual fortnightly Analog Circuits tests on Tuesdays, I had been refraining myself from spending time on writing this article since the last couple of days. Not any more!

(By the way, today's Analog Circuits test got postponed to next Tuesday, which simply means that my last weekend's fight has gone in vain.

I tried so hard
And got so far
But in the end
It doesn't even matter...

Sounds so true! Doesn't it?)

Why this sudden urge? Anil bhai has been my favourite cricketer ever since I started understanding the game of cricket; a cricketer whom I simply loved to watch in action. He, for sure, didn't have the flamboyance of a Tendulkar or the fashion of a Dhoni, yet he was an elegant and effective cricketer. What struck me most about him was the dignified manner in which he conducted himself, on and off the field. As Ian Chappell puts it,

“He was a cricketer who never compromised his dignity. He fought hard, but never lost his poise”.

In this era of modern cricket, when sledging and violation of rules have become cricket-style, this man, in his 18 years career, has never had to face the match referee for indiscipline; has never ever got involved in any sort of controversy. Hard to believe, isn't it?

I met Anil bhai for the first time (and, till date, the last time as well) in January 2002 when he was in Bhubaneswar for an ODI against England. Wide-chest, big build, easily over 6-ft tall, he presented a giant figure. No wonder they call him “Jumbo”!

Critics have often questioned him as a 'spinner' who couldn't turn the ball enough, something that his contemporaries, Shane Warne or Muttiah Muralitharan, could do so vicously. But Kumble's real strength was in his subtle variation of pace and length and imperceptible deviation in line, that could fool even the best batsman in business. Anyway, when he could pick up more than 900 international wickets with his soft and slow turners, did he need to spin the ball any more?

Anil bhai gave India its proudest moment when he gobbled up all 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan on a foggy day in February 1999 at the Feroze Shah Kotla, thus becoming only the second cricketer ever to achieve this feat (26.3-9-74-10 were his magical bowling figures). He achieved a personal milestone recently, in August 2007 against England, when he slammed his first international century. No other Indian batsman on that tour could reach triple figures!

Anil bhai celebrates his maiden international century

An incident, which no cricket-enthusiast can ever forget, occurred in May 2002 at Antigua. A Mervyn Dillon bouncer fractured Anil bhai's jaw. He was in pain and stitches. The next morning, during West Indies' batting, he observed Sachin Tendulkar extracting bounce and turn from the wicket. He immediately got up, “I'll go out and bowl”. The jaw was temporarily held in position by a thick bandage, the tooth was moving, there was a big crack. But he wanted to bowl. And so he did. In one of the bravest acts in cricket history that followed, he bowled 14 overs on the trot (yes, 14 overs!) with his broken jaw, claiming the prize wicket of the great Brian Lara in the process. Who would dare to question his commitment?

Anil bhai, with his bandaged fractured jaw, celebrates the dismissal of Brian Lara in a Test match against West Indies at Antigua, 2002

Sourav Ganguly, India's former captain, once remarked, “If the opposition is 250 for 1 and I am looking around the field, there will be one man looking straight back at me because he wants the ball.” That's Anil Kumble!

His contribution to Indian cricket shall be cherished forever. At his final post-match press conference, when he was questioned how he would like to be remembered as, he replied,”...as someone who raised the bar for his team; someone who always gave his 100%”.

His never-say-die attitude will continue to inspire many. His dignity and sportmanship will set benchmarks. He is, and shall forever remain, a true champion!

Dear Anil Bhai,
As you bid good-bye to cricket, an inexplicable sense of disappointment grips my heart. I salute your achievements and contributions! I'll miss you...

Final moments: Last Test match, at Feroze Shah Kotla