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Farewell note to Anil Kumble

Retired from test cricket.. I wrote a blog on him earlier last year when he retired from ODI and hoped he would leave a mark on test cricket. Anil Kumble, the master plotter, the jumbo, the patriot, the team man – has called it quits, after 18 years of unwavering determination and loyalty to the team and the game. What can I say? Stats – over a thousand international test wickets, a special ten wicket haul – only second in the history of cricket, a clinical assassin – everything speaks for itself, the greatness of his personality.

Surely, the champion and the legend of the game will be missed and the loss is difficult to articulate, but fittingly, he hung up his cap at Ferohshah kotla, where he has been the fiercest of all the places he played, almost always changed the match’s direction. I can only say that I will miss him badly, but then, time moves on and he has not been his best over the past 10 test matches or so and though I would miss him, I can only say that the decision is right and he choose his time well. Moving away, he left a confidence note “I am sure we will complete the series in Nagpur”, to his team and bid a hard adieu to his passions. 

Sourav Ganguly once said that even if the opposition was 250/1, there would be one man on the field who would look at him in the eye because he wants the ball. A thorough student of himself and his game, Anil Kumble brought a character to this gentlemen game and he played like a gentleman all through his career. If the Antigua test spoke of his commitment visibly, I am sure every team members and oppositions respect for him spoke volumes of the personality he is. And any amount of appreciation can only fall short of the awe he commanded.

Wishing him luck for whatever future awaits, I hope Indian cricket will recover quickly from the transition that is happening in the game. What with Sourav retiring and Sachin and Rahul and Laxman inching closer to the close of curtains on their careers! Indian cricket will never be the same again…
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Comments

Purnima said…
I remember a test match against Aussies, in Chennai I guess, where Anil took 8 wickets, to reduce australia to a mere 250 score, who were 130/0. And all this happened in a mere 2 hrs play.

Anil's amazing. Wishing him all the very best!
November 06, 2008
Usha Pisharody said…
Indeed, a wonderful cricketer and human being, that was what Anil Kumble is! Salutes to this gentleman of the game, and best wishes! May he continue to inspire!
November 08, 2008
Mahita said…
Puri, thanks for the comment. I have been expecting a post on him in ur blog - not seen one yet... :).. Anil, is a champion and it is hard to bid adieu to him :)...

Thank u Usha, for the comment.
November 08, 2008
Prabhu Dutta Das said…
Indian Cricket will be silent without the shouts of Cm'on Junbos.. It shall always be visible aggression from now on!

P.S. Including this, I have read 3 farewell notes of Kumble- all written by girls! If there is any particular indication, I venture to dig :)
November 11, 2008
Mahita said…
Thank u Prabhu for commenting. True enough, Indian Cricket would be silent with a deafening resonance.

P.S: Well, what can I say? I am a fan of Indian Cricket, not just Anil Kumble.
November 12, 2008
Praveen said…
"Sourav Ganguly once said that even if the opposition was 250/1, there would be one man on the field who would look at him in the eye because he wants the ball."

that one incident signifies what kumble stands for...another one is bowling with his jaws tied up against west indies..
an once in a lifetime sportsperson///
November 12, 2008
Mahita said…
Thanks Praveen, for the comment. True that the two landmarks speak volumes of his charisma... One of the spell he sent down with a broken jaw in Antigua and other of his ten wicket hall in the pride saving match of Ferohshah kotla. Man of true character he is, and no words can aptly summarize him and his absence will be a little disheartening...
November 12, 2008
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