Anil Kumble to be inducted into ICC Hall of Fame: 5 famous moments from a ‘Jumbo’ career in videos
The 21st century will definitely see a few bowlers who will take more than 600 Test wickets.
One of them might even hit a surprising Test century at the Oval. One of them might even manage to take 10 wickets in a single Test innings.
But it would take a lifetime to find a player as industrious, as gritty and yet, as humble as Anil Kumble.
As the legendary Indian leg-spinner prepares to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, we look back at five memorable moments from his career.
1. 10 wickets in a Test innings.
In one of the proudest moments in Indian cricket’s history, Anil Kumble became only the second man ever to grab all 10 wickets in a Test innings in the year 1999. If the achievement wasn’t impressive enough already, the feat came against bitter rivals, Pakistan in India’s capital city.
2. Pain? What’s that?
It’s hard to remember a better show of dedication, patriotism and fighting spirit than this iconic moment in Antigua in 2002. Despite sustaining a broken jaw following an on-field injury, Kumble walked back onto the field with his face taped in bandage and all ready to bowl again. Almost fittingly, he went on to take the wicket of the legendary Brian Lara that day!
3. Hundred at the Oval
It took 118 Test matches. But it finally came. And yet again, fitting his repertoire, it came on a special day, on a special ground and in a special game. In a series in which no other Indian managed a century, Kumble wrote his name history books by scoring a ton against England at the Kennington Oval.
4. 600th Test wicket
Leading India in one of their toughest trips down under, Kumble became only the third bowler to grab 600 wickets in Test history during the third game of the series at Perth. Once again, Kumble picked his victim well. Quite fittingly, it was Andrew Symonds, who had become India’s enemy number 1 after the infamous ‘monkeygate’ scandal during the previous Test.
5. Success in IPL
Following his retirement from Tests, Kumble had a fairly successful run with RCB in the IPL, where he led his team to the final in 2009 and also finished as the highest wicket-taker that season. He also led the team to the semi-finals in 2010 and finally retired from the league in 2012. In 2013 he joined Mumbai Indians as a mentor and the team won their first ever trophy that season.
