Kumble calls it a day

India captain decides to retire

Last updated: 4th November 2008

Kumble calls it a day

Kumble waves goodbye

It's been a great experience, a great journey.

Anil Kumble
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Anil Kumble announced his retirement from Test cricket after the draw against Australia in Delhi.

The India captain, who sat out the second Test win in Mohali with a shoulder injury, missed much of the match in Delhi due to a finger problem sustained in the field on the third day.

His side lead the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series 1-0 with the final game due to start in Nagpur on Thursday.

The leg-spinner's decision to retire brings an end to a 132-Test career that began back in 1990 and has yielded 619 wickets, third on the all-time list behind Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne.

The 38-year-old's finest hour came in February 1999 when he became only the second player - after England's Jim Laker - to take all 10 wickets in a Test innings. He achieved the feat in Delhi against Pakistan in to help India secure a first Test win over their neighbours for 19 years.

Kumble captained India in 14 Tests after succeeding Rahul Dravid towards the end of 2007, a run that included three wins and six draws.

Tough decision

"It was a very tough decision," he admitted.

"After playing 18 years of cricket it's tough, but I think the body made the decision for me.

"I made the decision yesterday - I didn't want to go into the next game knowing I was not 100 percent fit and let the team down.

"I had probably decided to leave after the series anyway.

"I am really proud to have shared the dressing room with so many great players - Sachin (Tendulkar) and I started our careers together, Rahul (Dravid), Sourav (Ganguly) and (VVS) Laxman as well as the younger guys.

"It's been a great experience, a great journey."

Kumble confirmed he would continue to play in the Indian Premier League for the Bangalore Royal Challengers, with whom he has a three-year contract.

"The Indian Premier League is a contractual obligation and I go ahead and do that," he added.

Wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will take charge of India in Nagpur for the series decider and appears the obvious candidate to succeed Kumble on a full-time basis.

Comments (18)

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Anish Mathur says...

well a legend indeed true gentleman of the game its i8 years of illstrous career wish him all the best in his future

Posted 06:39 4th November 2008

Abdul Razak says...

A great player, no.... i must say a great sportsman.No doubt a great loss 4 lndia & 4 the cricket world. I think he made the right decision @ the right time. Though he got 1 more test 2 go...just look @ those words....... " i didnt want 2 go into the next game knowing i was not 100% fit & let the team down" hats off 2 him.Wish him all the best in his life.

Posted 21:07 3rd November 2008

Philip Wright says...

In my opinion second only to Shane Warne as a great bowler - not just as a leg spinner but bowler of any kind. I always enjoy watching India play & I get the impression that he is very influential in the team whether captain or not. He will be a great loss - but there do seem to be so many good new players coming through. I hope his injuries don't stop him making some well deserved money in the Indian Premier League - he deserves it

Posted 21:13 2nd November 2008

Alvin Parmar says...

Anil Kumble has truly been a great ambassador not only for india but the cricketing nations of the world.I have been very fortunate to have been in his company a few times and they will be something I shall treasure.Anil, you are such a humble man but with a steeley determination to win.I hope you will remain in some capacity with the indian cricket team. There is no question you are going to be missed but I wish you all the very best for the future

Posted 19:45 2nd November 2008

Sahil Shetty says...

Kumble was an asset and I genuinely cant forget the nite when he had taken all 10 wickets of pakistan. I was in Manali for my vacations but I stayed back to watch the match...! def worth it..! Indian Cricket would miss Kumble..

Posted 18:33 2nd November 2008

Keith Nickisson says...

A great cricketer and bowler and a fine sportsman. An example to any young person. I am sad to see him retire but know that is always a really tough decision and better to see him go at the top of his game. I wish him well in the rest of life and thanks for the joy you have given to many.

Posted 15:12 2nd November 2008

Suneet Border says...

I think he might have been able to play on a bit longer but there is too much talent coming through now for a bowler who is not playing his best cricket. In spite of his great determination he has not been a great captain for India. Not to say that he has not been a great cricketer for India. He has been exceptional but it is hard to captain well. Look at Tendulkar, Lara and Ponting - all great cricketers and average captains. I think it was time that he stepped down as captain because Dhoni has shown that he has the potential to be one of the best captains around. He gives confidence to the talented Indian players and takes the pressure from them so that they can express their talent. I just want to finish by saying thank you to Kumble for his great contribution to the test game.

Posted 14:51 2nd November 2008

Aditya Karthik says...

Its a huge loss to the indian cricket team and lets hope kumble has a good post retirement life

Posted 14:35 2nd November 2008

Bharani Yar says...

Sports is all about giving your best irrespective of the result.. and none can compete with kumble in it... he has been the pillar of the bowling attack for the past decade.. shame on critics who question his quality and competitiveness... Hope he plays a role in molding the future generation...

Posted 13:57 2nd November 2008

Hiranmay Mahanta says...

Its better to leave when people should ask WHY,rather than why not???U have proved it.

Posted 13:45 2nd November 2008

Poojith Jain says...

I think India will miss a true champion in the form of Anil.He truly was a sensational bowler and a great ambassador of the game.He was an inspiration to the younger lot.His presence will certainly be missed.He might retire from International cricket but he will never retire from our hearts.

Posted 12:47 2nd November 2008

Poojith Jain says...

I think India will miss a true champion in the form of Anil.He truly was a sensational bowler and a great ambassador of the game.He was an inspiration to the younger lot.His presence will certainly be missed.He might retire from International cricket but he will never retire from our hearts.

Posted 12:45 2nd November 2008

Bellur Gadadhara says...

A great cricketer and a true gentlemen. Anil has been a wonderful ambassodor for cricket. Along with Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar he is the sort of sportsman that any country would love to have as a role model. The present generation of cricketers can and must learn an awful lot from these three guys.

Posted 12:34 2nd November 2008

Prakash Acharya says...

Anil kumble has been a champion cricketer for the country. To describe him only as someone who has taken 600 wickets & done well for the country is not enough, his determination, devotion, dedication & the respect that he commands from his team mates & rival cricketers makes him one of the finest cricketer the world has ever seen. For the sheer commitment on the field, i would rate kumble as a better spin bowler than warne & murali.

Posted 12:13 2nd November 2008

Shehzad Khan says...

truely a great great bowler.....though i am a pakistani but i really admire him.....goes as one of all times greats...

Posted 12:03 2nd November 2008

Sandeep Gill says...

I agree with Gaurav, its definetely not the time to retire, he's still got it in him, but i respect his decison.

Posted 11:53 2nd November 2008

Amit Garg says...

kumble=LEGEND. no better words to describe the beast of a player.. the whole nation shud bown down to the greatness of the man and the illustrous career he had. After tendulkar i think he is the biggest contributor to indian cricket in the Present generation.. Hats off to him

Posted 10:26 2nd November 2008

Gaurav Tiwari says...

i dont think so that dis is the right time of retirement . he has a capability to play 1 more year but he is great player of dis century so whatever he decides it will be gud for indian cricket. i would like to say thanks for his contribution in indian team.

Posted 10:21 2nd November 2008
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