Indian Cricket sans Kumble

Anil Kumble has retired from International Test Cricket. For many, this might come as a form of bland news. Not for me, and I am sure, not for many cricket fans like me who have grown up in their teens watching this man bowl India to so many victories. As Sunil Gavaskar has pointed out, Anil perhaps is one who has won India the maximum number of Test Matches (he has won many one-dayers also, but just talking of test right now).

I remember the period from 1993-2000, when India was under Azhar's captaincy. That many say was the golden period for India, for they did not loose even a single Test series at home, and grinded many of the top competing teams like Australia, England, West Indies and South Africa. In Test Matches, as we all know, we need to bowl the opposition team out twice in order to win the match. Although it is the batsman that set up the game and provide a platform, it is the bowlers who finally need to win you the match by bowling the opposition out in their second innings. Anil Kumble, precisely for this reason is termed India's greatest Test Match winner. He was a major contributor to the wickets in the second innings. During the 1990's, India did not have a world class spin attack barring Kumble. He was a lone spearhead. That is where his greatness lies, for he tormented batsmen with his guile and flippers for such a long and sustained period of time. He has been such a strong bowler for India, that even on the greenest of pitches, India cannot think of replacing Kumble with a fast bowler. There is unanimous feeling that he will perform better than any other fast bowler.

For a bowler, cricket is not just about taking wickets. It is also about building faith and trust in your captain and team members in you, of your dedication and fighting spirit. Anil Kumble, I feel, was the epitome of trust that a captain could posess in his bowlers. Even if a wicket does not suit his style of bowling, India would often play Kumble for the simple reason that they know he will try his level best to take wickets and not get defensive.

Kumble has gone through lot of criticism through the years. It's unfortunate that the talent that he grooms with his experience, becomes the cause for his criticism. This has happened with Sourav as well. They both spent a good quality amount of time in encouraging young spinners and players in Indian cricket. Now that both Sourav and Kumble have helped India reach a stage when we have built a good bench strength, the axe is on them. I don't know if this is right or wrong, but it does create an unhealthy atmosphere for in future, no senior cricketer will pass on his experience to youngsters.

I grew up through my teens watching Anil Kumble in his prime. He was to Indian bowling what Sachin Tendulkar is to batting. Cricketers talking of him being a hard competitor and aggressive bowler, but we never got to hear him sledge. I would like to mention that I had the great priveledge of shaking hands with him when he visited my school in Delhi the day after he took the 10 wicket haul against Pakistan. Our principal requested him to conduct the assembly and he gladly obliged by saying out the prayer joined in unison with 10,000 students. It was a momentous day for me to have got the chance to see this great Indian. Those memories are deeply cherished in my heart.

We all get emotional at times, especially about people like Anil Kumble. I am glad though that we have a good selection committe that does not get as sentimental. In retrospect, I think it was the right time for Anil to retire as his body wouldn't have allowed him to continue. Further, for the performer in him that we have so got accustomed to, to see him not able to deliver that level of performance is a bit of a disappointment.

Anil Kumble has held and carried the spin department almost all by himself through the last two decades. It is a very sad day for all of us who have grown up shouting Kumble Kumble everytime he has taken a wicket. Anil, wish you and your family all the very best and I hope you remain associated with Indian cricket for a long time to come. Indian cricket needs you and will always need you.