I could never imagine an Indian team without Kumble, I still cannot. India have to do without their stock and strike bowler in tests from now on. I am sure most people wouldn't read too much into Mishra's almost sensational debut and for him to fit into Jumbo's shoes would not only take a long time, but also a large heart. Indians in general and Indian cricket in particular have never celebrated quiet heroes, Kumble and Laxman are classic examples. They have always been under the scanner and have invariably proved their critics wrong, time and again.No cricket fan can forget that day in 2002, when he came back with a jaw injury to get the wicket of Brian Lara, clean bowled. His last test was no exception. He came onto bowl after having 11 stitches on his left index finger. His last wicket is testament to his commitment and work ethic. He took a brilliant catch, running backwards and in his joy (and fury) slammed the ball on the ground. He had shouted at Mishra for not putting in 100% only the previous delivery, so typical of Kumble.
Never have I seen Kumble sledging at batsmen, the ball did all the talking for him.
Towards the end of his career, many batsmen had analysed him really well and age also had taken its toll. The sliders were no longer as venomous as they used to be. (These deliveries got him most of his wickets and if I am right, he has the maximum number of leg before dismissals in Test cricket.) That could be a reason for his poor showing in the last one year. He has played 14 tests in the last year and has taken 53 wickets at 39 runs a piece, a remarkably high average.
I feel saddened by Kumble's exit, even more than Saurav's. Part of the reason is due to the fact that I would have liked Kumble to go out on a high. Saurav is also a great in his own right and the fighter he is, just like Kumble, he has been very lucky to go out on a high. (Hope he does well at Nagpur).
Kumble's biggest moment, apart from the 10 wicket haul at Delhi, would have to be his century against England at Oval. It was a typically dogged innings, with flashes of aggression through out. The shot which took him to his century was an inside edge, missed by the keeper, when Kumble gave the charge to Pieterson. Lady luck smiled on him and his wish to make a test century was at last fulfilled.
As a bowler, he is most remembered for his 10 wicket haul against Pakistan at the Kotla. Srinath trying desperately not to get a wicket and Akram being pouched at forward short leg by Laxman to give Kumble his 10 will forever be etched in our memories. His critics (cynics) though would always maintain that he owed at least a couple of those to Jayaprkash.
Kumble's retirement is a big challenge for the next captain and team management, for they will no longer have a bowler who could bowl over after over tirelessly. It is perhaps a bigger challenge than what Indian cricket faced after Kapil Dev's retirement for, by then Kumble had truly emerged as a match winner by then.(Ironically,Kapil Dev, another Indian great also had a very similar exit. He had 14 wickets from his last 7 test matches. )
The best parting gift his successor can give to Jumbo would be the Border-Gavaskar trophy itself and if possible with a win at Nagpur.
I just hope that his critics don't attribute his decison to call it quits to Mishra's rise. It is not only being grossly unfair, but also very premature.
My salute to the Jumbo!!!!
Never have I seen Kumble sledging at batsmen, the ball did all the talking for him.
Towards the end of his career, many batsmen had analysed him really well and age also had taken its toll. The sliders were no longer as venomous as they used to be. (These deliveries got him most of his wickets and if I am right, he has the maximum number of leg before dismissals in Test cricket.) That could be a reason for his poor showing in the last one year. He has played 14 tests in the last year and has taken 53 wickets at 39 runs a piece, a remarkably high average.
I feel saddened by Kumble's exit, even more than Saurav's. Part of the reason is due to the fact that I would have liked Kumble to go out on a high. Saurav is also a great in his own right and the fighter he is, just like Kumble, he has been very lucky to go out on a high. (Hope he does well at Nagpur).
Kumble's biggest moment, apart from the 10 wicket haul at Delhi, would have to be his century against England at Oval. It was a typically dogged innings, with flashes of aggression through out. The shot which took him to his century was an inside edge, missed by the keeper, when Kumble gave the charge to Pieterson. Lady luck smiled on him and his wish to make a test century was at last fulfilled.
As a bowler, he is most remembered for his 10 wicket haul against Pakistan at the Kotla. Srinath trying desperately not to get a wicket and Akram being pouched at forward short leg by Laxman to give Kumble his 10 will forever be etched in our memories. His critics (cynics) though would always maintain that he owed at least a couple of those to Jayaprkash.
Kumble's retirement is a big challenge for the next captain and team management, for they will no longer have a bowler who could bowl over after over tirelessly. It is perhaps a bigger challenge than what Indian cricket faced after Kapil Dev's retirement for, by then Kumble had truly emerged as a match winner by then.(Ironically,Kapil Dev, another Indian great also had a very similar exit. He had 14 wickets from his last 7 test matches. )
The best parting gift his successor can give to Jumbo would be the Border-Gavaskar trophy itself and if possible with a win at Nagpur.
I just hope that his critics don't attribute his decison to call it quits to Mishra's rise. It is not only being grossly unfair, but also very premature.
My salute to the Jumbo!!!!
6 comments:
Engaging write up da... Really gonna miss the good old days of "Kumble is here, anything can happen" and the "short-leg-silly point-2 slips-backward short leg-leg slip" days
@ Srik
Thanks a lot da :)
I got very emotional when I read the news item on Cricinfo today morning. When I saw the video, I almost cried. He is a great, a legend and the best part is that he has been under-rated all his life and he has lived on with it!!
right you are da.. i have always hated it when ppl say: "seamers are useless... let kumble on with his medium pace... he will do it!!" What an atrocious comment!! ppl never realise he gets wickets because he has batsmen either playing for the turn n missing the slider or not reading the subtle quickness in the pace of the delivery. his exit is one that will be hard to handle. i wonder if the selectors have ever been thinking about a good replacement spinner in his absence. harbhajan is just not good enough.
Well written, although the previous article is an unwitting indicator of the circumstances under which Kumble departs..
Nice one da.. Had been checking your blog ever since he announced his retirement, for I was sure you would come up with the fitting tribute that you have..
I guess one line which would describe him is that he was the Glenn McGrath of spin bowling. I am sure that with this comparison the stature of both the players only go up.
@Vats
absolutely da...in my opinion harbhajan has miles to go before he can have fill in kumble's place
@susa
"its a coincidence damn it"!! lol
:)
@kutti
glen mcgrath of spin-nice one.
but somehow one thing which makes kumble more special than mcgrath is that his abilities were always under the scanner. mcgrath did not have any such thing to contend with. his greatness was more or less assumed already.(deservedly so!!)
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