Today Anil Kumble retired. It came as a surprise to many and certainly not a joyous one. The Ferozshah Kotla stadium was once again filled with emotion, once again by Anil Kumble himself.
Anil Kumble is a player par excellence. Someone who never let the team down, someone who put the sport before him, someone who put the team’s and countries integrity before his own, someone who didn’t let situations become excuses, and someone who never shied away from criticism but instead, silently proved it all wrong.
He has many a times been called the general of the team, the silent assassin who would take everyone in the opposition down without making much noise about it. Such is the man. He is the first Indian to take more than 500 wickets, he was only the 2nd man ever to take all 10 wickets, he is known to be the 3rd greatest bowler, after Murlitharan and Shane Warne. Anil Kumble held his head and the team’s head high in the recent Down Under series. He is the player who played against West Indies with a broken jaw, something that had everyone gaping when they saw the tv screens. He is the player who played and took 3 wickets in the most recent Kotla test with an injured finger, stitched up.
An era is said to be when a player comes and changes the face of the game, the way the game is perceived and when he decides to leave we know that the void can never be filled. A person is said to end an era when we know that there was just one like him and that there will be no other. In this man’s case it all stands true.
Few greats of the cricket echoed their sentiments on Anil Kumble’s retirement.
Kapil Dev, former Indian Cricket Captain said and I quote "Anil Kumble is a true fighter, always had this never-say-die attitude and is thoroughly a true gentleman,"
Former Australian captain Ian Chappell said "It is very difficult for somebody to get into his shoes. He is a cricketer who never compromised his dignity and always played with determination,"
The next few days are not going to be easy for any cricket fan, for any Indian who holds a soft spot for the game, especially a soft spot for the ‘senior players’. In the coming week we are going to see history again, Ganguly (my personal favorite) retiring, VVS Laxman completing 100 tests and a probable win at home against Australia. It is going to be an emotionally charged week, today the beginning of what will be remembered by many.
I know I had tears in my eyes when I heard his speech today. I know my emotions were stirred up when I saw the television footage of his journey until now. I know I will always remember this man to be probably the greatest gentleman and pioneer of the sport there has ever been.
Anil Kumble, you will be truly missed. It is indeed the end of an era in cricket today.
Anil Kumble is a player par excellence. Someone who never let the team down, someone who put the sport before him, someone who put the team’s and countries integrity before his own, someone who didn’t let situations become excuses, and someone who never shied away from criticism but instead, silently proved it all wrong.
He has many a times been called the general of the team, the silent assassin who would take everyone in the opposition down without making much noise about it. Such is the man. He is the first Indian to take more than 500 wickets, he was only the 2nd man ever to take all 10 wickets, he is known to be the 3rd greatest bowler, after Murlitharan and Shane Warne. Anil Kumble held his head and the team’s head high in the recent Down Under series. He is the player who played against West Indies with a broken jaw, something that had everyone gaping when they saw the tv screens. He is the player who played and took 3 wickets in the most recent Kotla test with an injured finger, stitched up.
An era is said to be when a player comes and changes the face of the game, the way the game is perceived and when he decides to leave we know that the void can never be filled. A person is said to end an era when we know that there was just one like him and that there will be no other. In this man’s case it all stands true.
Few greats of the cricket echoed their sentiments on Anil Kumble’s retirement.
Kapil Dev, former Indian Cricket Captain said and I quote "Anil Kumble is a true fighter, always had this never-say-die attitude and is thoroughly a true gentleman,"
Former Australian captain Ian Chappell said "It is very difficult for somebody to get into his shoes. He is a cricketer who never compromised his dignity and always played with determination,"
The next few days are not going to be easy for any cricket fan, for any Indian who holds a soft spot for the game, especially a soft spot for the ‘senior players’. In the coming week we are going to see history again, Ganguly (my personal favorite) retiring, VVS Laxman completing 100 tests and a probable win at home against Australia. It is going to be an emotionally charged week, today the beginning of what will be remembered by many.
I know I had tears in my eyes when I heard his speech today. I know my emotions were stirred up when I saw the television footage of his journey until now. I know I will always remember this man to be probably the greatest gentleman and pioneer of the sport there has ever been.
Anil Kumble, you will be truly missed. It is indeed the end of an era in cricket today.
