ADIOS JUMBO

With the retirement of Anil Kumble, a great chapter in Indian cricket comes to a close. Kumble has always been my cricketing hero since the day he obliterated England way back in 1993 and i was watching my first live 'test' match. I was just learning cricket and i loved every bit of it. Chris Lewis scored century and Kambli scored a double in that series but Kumble stomped his authority and gave hint as to times that were coming. With Rajesh Chauhan and V. Raju, the next generation of Indian Spinners were raring to go. Many have come and went since then but Jumbo just went on and on and on and on. Be it Hero Cup or Being best bowler in 1996 World Cup or Magnificient spells at home against almost all touring teams or bowling abroad, he did it all, the high point being perfect 10 at Delhi.

People practically wrote him off after 2003 world Cup but after a shoulder surgery and a little break he was back and back he was, dominating in Australia this time. Since then he as practically accomplished many records including a test century and Captaining India, something he should have done back in 1998 when Azhar was made captain the second time, its just a personal opinion.

There has never been a hard trier than Anil, he has bowled some devastating spells that we all know of but he has also bowled some amazing spells as a stock bowler, especially in South Africa and New Zealand. He was the quintessential team player, always there for the team. That is probably the greatest of his many qualities. He probably would have retired last year but captaincy essentially gave his career another extention. That India had not found a replacement was another reason. Leg Spinners are a rare breed and finding a good leg spinner is like finding a true unicorn.

We have been very lucky to witness Shane and Anil in a single generation and i think the Golden Age of Cricket is just dwindling. These two craftsman of same genre yet so different in their execution. We enjoyed till they played and we pray that we do find someone to fill their shoes soon.

For Jumbo, good bye, good luck, you still have IPL to conquer .....